v3.20.1
Valuation (Schedule of Financial Instruments) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Mar. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) [1] $ 1,481,395 $ 2,449,941
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value [1] 65,397 71,850
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 31,752 16,788
Repurchase agreements, at fair value 13,239 73,639
Investments sold short, at fair value- (13,291) (73,409)
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (47,772) (27,621)
Other secured borrowings, at fair value [1] (549,668) (594,396)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value 65,397 71,850
Total assets 3,022,133 3,951,005
Other secured borrowings, at fair value (549,668) (594,396)
Total liabilities (610,731) (695,426)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Investments Sold Short | Corporate debt securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value- (1,419) (471)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Investments Sold Short | Government debt    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value- (11,872) (72,938)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (1,922) (14,524)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (62) (1,693)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (162) (250)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Interest rate swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (32,286) (8,719)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | TBA securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (6,391) (1,012)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Futures    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (6,049) (45)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Forwards    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (61) (169)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Total return swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (839) (1,209)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 1,016,001 1,936,963
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | Non-Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 162,703 166,550
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | CMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 75,815 124,868
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | CLOs    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 169,273 170,443
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 54,627 48,610
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | Corporate debt securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 610 1,113
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | Corporate equity securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 712 1,394
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | U.S. Treasury securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 1,654  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Loans | Residential mortgage loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 939,372 932,203
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Loans | Commercial mortgage loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 303,300 274,759
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Loans | Consumer loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 194,803 186,954
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Loans | Corporate loan [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 6,114 18,510
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 353 993
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 3,732 5,599
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 1,202 2
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 14,276 3,319
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Interest rate swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 8,592 5,468
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | TBA securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 551 596
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Futures    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 37 148
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Forwards    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 188 43
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Total return swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 37 620
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Options    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 2,658  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Warrants    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 126  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value 0 0
Total assets 37 148
Other secured borrowings, at fair value 0 0
Total liabilities (6,049) (45)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Investments Sold Short | Corporate debt securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Investments Sold Short | Government debt    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Interest rate swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | TBA securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Futures    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (6,049) (45)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Forwards    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Total return swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | Non-Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | CMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | CLOs    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | Corporate debt securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | Corporate equity securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | U.S. Treasury securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Loans | Residential mortgage loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Loans | Commercial mortgage loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Loans | Consumer loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Loans | Corporate loan [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Interest rate swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | TBA securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Futures    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 37 148
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Forwards    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Total return swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Options    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Warrants    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value 0 0
Total assets 1,277,513 2,229,582
Other secured borrowings, at fair value 0 0
Total liabilities (54,175) (100,549)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Investments Sold Short | Corporate debt securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value- (1,419) (471)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Investments Sold Short | Government debt    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value- (11,872) (72,938)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (1,922) (14,524)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (62) (1,693)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (162) (250)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Interest rate swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (32,286) (8,719)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | TBA securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (6,391) (1,012)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Futures    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Forwards    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (61) (169)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Total return swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 (773)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 995,020 1,917,059
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | Non-Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 68,506 76,969
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | CMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 55,539 95,063
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | CLOs    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 125,469 125,464
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | Corporate debt securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | Corporate equity securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | U.S. Treasury securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 1,654  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Loans | Residential mortgage loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Loans | Commercial mortgage loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Loans | Consumer loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Loans | Corporate loan [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 3,732 5,599
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 1,202 2
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 14,276 3,319
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Interest rate swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 8,592 5,468
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | TBA securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 551 596
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Futures    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Forwards    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 188 43
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Total return swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Options    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 2,658  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Warrants    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 126  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value 65,397 71,850
Total assets 1,744,583 1,721,275
Other secured borrowings, at fair value (549,668) (594,396)
Total liabilities (550,507) (594,832)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Investments Sold Short | Corporate debt securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Investments Sold Short | Government debt    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Interest rate swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | TBA securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Futures    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Forwards    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Total return swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (839) (436)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 20,981 19,904
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | Non-Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 94,197 89,581
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | CMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 20,276 29,805
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | CLOs    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 43,804 44,979
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 54,627 48,610
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | Corporate debt securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 610 1,113
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | Corporate equity securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 712 1,394
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | U.S. Treasury securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Loans | Residential mortgage loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 939,372 932,203
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Loans | Commercial mortgage loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 303,300 274,759
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Loans | Consumer loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 194,803 186,954
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Loans | Corporate loan [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 6,114 18,510
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 353 993
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Interest rate swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | TBA securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Futures    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Forwards    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Total return swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 37 $ 620
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Options    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Warrants    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- $ 0  
[1]
Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.