Offsetting of Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Offsetting of Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	$ 31,752
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Liability	0
Financial derivatives–assets
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	31,752	$ 16,788
Financial Instruments Available for Offset	(11,711)	(12,755)
Cash Collateral (Received) Pledged	(11,493)	(807)
Net Amount	8,548	3,226
Reverse repurchase agreements
Repurchase agreements, at fair value	13,239	73,639
Financial Instruments Available for Offset	(13,239)	(73,639)
Cash Collateral (Received) Pledged	0	0
Net Amount	0	0
Repurchase agreements
Reverse repurchase agreements	(2,034,225)	(2,445,300)
Financial Instruments Available for Offset	2,034,225	73,639
Cash Collateral (Received) Pledged	98,657	31,005
Net Amount	0	0
Financial derivatives–liabilities
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-	(47,772)	(27,621)
Financial Instruments Available for Offset	11,711	12,755
Cash Collateral (Received) Pledged	29,667	12,233
Net Amount	(6,394)	(2,633)
Securities Collateral relating to Reverse Repurchase Agreements	2,300,000	2,800,000
Securities Purchased under Agreements to Resell, Gross	51,132
Securities Purchased under Agreements to Resell, Liability	37,893
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	47,772
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset	0
Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase, Gross	2,071,009
Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase, Asset	36,784
Financial Derivatives - Assets
Financial derivatives–assets
Financial Instruments Transferred or Pledged as Collateral	0	0
Financial derivatives–liabilities
Excess cash collateral	(14)	4,300
Securities Purchased under Agreements to Resell [Member]
Financial derivatives–assets
Financial Instruments Transferred or Pledged as Collateral	0	0
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities
Financial derivatives–assets
Financial Instruments Transferred or Pledged as Collateral	0	0
Financial derivatives–liabilities
Excess cash collateral	11,400	23,400
Reverse repurchase agreements
Financial derivatives–assets
Financial Instruments Transferred or Pledged as Collateral	$ (98,657)	$ 2,340,656

Excess cash collateral.

No definition available.

Name:	efc_Excesscashcollateral
Namespace Prefix:	efc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

[Line Items] for Offsetting of Assets and Liabilities [Table]

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	efc_OffsettingOfAssetsAndLiabilitiesLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	efc_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Fair value of liability associated with financial asset or other contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4B
-Subparagraph (a),(c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109980867&loc=SL5624163-113959

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=99393222&loc=SL20226003-175313

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossLiability
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value, after effects of master netting arrangements, deduction of assets not subject to a master netting arrangement and elected not to be offset, of financial asset or other contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset, offset against an obligation to return collateral.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeAssetFairValueOffsetAgainstCollateralNetOfNotSubjectToMasterNettingArrangementPolicyElection
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value of financial asset or other contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset, elected not to be offset, deducted from derivative assets.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotOffsetPolicyElectionDeduction
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value, after the effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial asset or other contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes assets not subject to a master netting arrangement and not elected to be offset.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeAssetsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of obligation to return cash collateral under master netting arrangements that have not been offset against derivative assets.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 13
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=99393222&loc=SL20226016-175313

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109980867&loc=d3e41678-113959

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (d)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeCollateralObligationToReturnCash
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of right to receive cash collateral under master netting arrangements that have not been offset against derivative liabilities.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeCollateralRightToReclaimCash
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value, before effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial asset or other contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes assets elected not to be offset. Excludes assets not subject to a master netting arrangement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=99393222&loc=SL20226000-175313

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 860
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4D
-Subparagraph (c)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118948506&loc=SL51823488-111719

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312

Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4B
-Subparagraph (a),(c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109980867&loc=SL5624163-113959

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value, before effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial liability or contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes liabilities elected not to be offset. Excludes liabilities not subject to a master netting arrangement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 860
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4D
-Subparagraph (c)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118948506&loc=SL51823488-111719

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4B
-Subparagraph (a),(c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109980867&loc=SL5624163-113959

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312

Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=99393222&loc=SL20226000-175313

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value, after the effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial liability or contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes liabilities not subject to a master netting arrangement and not elected to be offset.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118260190&loc=d3e13433-108611

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=99393222&loc=SL20226008-175313

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilitiesAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Fair value of asset associated with financial liability or contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=99393222&loc=SL20226003-175313

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4B
-Subparagraph (a),(c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109980867&loc=SL5624163-113959

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossAsset
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value, after effects of master netting arrangements, deduction of liabilities not subject to a master netting arrangement and elected not to be offset, of financial liability or contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset, offset against the right to receive collateral.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueOffsetAgainstCollateralNetOfNotSubjectToMasterNettingArrangementPolicyElection
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value of financial liability or contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset, elected not to be offset, deducted from derivative liabilities.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotOffsetPolicyElectionDeduction
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The fair value as of the balance sheet date of financial instruments and other positions owned by the entity and pledged to counterparties as collateral, including: (1) mortgages, mortgage-backed and asset backed securities; (2) US government and agency obligations; (3) state and municipal government obligations; (4) other sovereign government debt; (5) corporate obligations; (6) corporate equities; (7) principal investments; (8) derivative contracts; and (9) physical commodities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 860
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66007379&loc=d3e113888-111728

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 860
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1A
-Subparagraph (c)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109249958&loc=SL6224234-111729

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsOwnedAndPledgedAsCollateralAtFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SecuritiesPurchasedUnderAgreementsToResellAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of obligation to return cash collateral under master netting arrangements that have not been offset against securities purchased under agreement to resell.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SecuritiesPurchasedUnderAgreementsToResellCollateralObligationToReturnCash
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount, before effects of master netting arrangements, of funds outstanding loaned in the form of a security resale agreement between the entity and another party for the purchase and resale of identical or substantially the same securities at a date certain for a specified price. Includes assets elected not to be offset. Excludes assets not subject to a master netting arrangement.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SecuritiesPurchasedUnderAgreementsToResellGross
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of liability associated with funds outstanding loaned in the form of a security resale agreement between the entity and another party for the purchase and resale of identical or substantially the same securities at a date certain for a specified price.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=99393222&loc=SL20226003-175313

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SecuritiesPurchasedUnderAgreementsToResellLiability
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of funds outstanding loaned in the form of a security resale agreement between the entity and another party for the purchase and resale of identical or substantially the same securities at a date certain for a specified price, elected not to be offset, deducted from securities purchased under agreements to resell.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SecuritiesPurchasedUnderAgreementsToResellNotOffsetPolicyElectionDeduction
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SecuritiesPurchasedUnderAgreementsToResellNotSubjectToMasterNettingArrangement
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount, after effects of master netting arrangements, deduction of assets not subject to a master netting arrangement and elected not to be offset, of funds outstanding loaned in the form of a security resale agreement between the entity and another party for the purchase and resale of identical or substantially the same securities at a date certain for a specified price, offset against an obligation to return collateral.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SecuritiesPurchasedUnderAgreementsToResellOffsetAgainstCollateralNetOfNotSubjectToMasterNettingArrangementPolicyElection
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount, after the effects of master netting arrangements, of funds outstanding borrowed in the form of a security repurchase agreement between the entity and another party for the sale and repurchase of identical or substantially the same securities at a date certain for a specified price. Includes liabilities not subject to a master netting arrangement and not elected to be offset.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=99393222&loc=SL20226008-175313

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 11
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49176635&loc=d3e9760-107771

Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.13(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 5: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(m)(1)(a)(i))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of asset associated with funds outstanding borrowed in the form of a security repurchase agreement between the entity and another party for the sale and repurchase of identical or substantially the same securities at a date certain for a specified price.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseAsset
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of right to receive cash collateral under master netting arrangements that have not been offset against securities sold under agreement to repurchase.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseCollateralRightToReclaimCash
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value of securities pledged as collateral against securities sold under agreement to repurchase.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=99393222&loc=SL20226013-175313

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseFairValueOfCollateral
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount, before effects of master netting arrangements, of funds outstanding borrowed in the form of a security repurchase agreement between the entity and another party for the sale and repurchase of identical or substantially the same securities at a date certain for a specified price. Includes liabilities elected not to be offset. Excludes liabilities not subject to a master netting arrangement.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseGross
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount, after effects of master netting arrangements, deduction of liabilities not subject to a master netting arrangement and elected not to be offset, of funds outstanding borrowed in the form of a security repurchase agreement between the entity and another party for the sale and repurchase of identical or substantially the same securities at a date certain for a specified price, offset against a right to receive collateral.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseOffsetAgainstCollateralNetOfNotSubjectToMasterNettingArrangementPolicyElection
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of funds outstanding borrowed in the form of a security repurchase agreement between the entity and another party for the sale and repurchase of identical or substantially the same securities at a date certain for a specified price, elected not to be offset, deducted from securities sold under agreements to repurchase.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToResellNotOffsetPolicyElectionDeduction
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=efc_SecuritiesPurchasedunderAgreementstoResellMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: