v3.21.2

Investment in Securities (Summary of Investment in Securities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 9 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Sep. 30, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |
Current Principal |  | $ 1,873,856 | $ 1,408,233
Unamortized Premium (Discount) |  | (143,084) | (196,118)
Amortized Cost |  | 1,856,210 | 1,474,155
Gross Unrealized Gains |  | 46,083 | 60,617
Gross Unrealized Losses |  | (37,024) | (59,229)
Investment Owned At Fair Value, Net |  | 1,865,269 | 1,475,543
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) | [1],[2] | 1,895,563 | 1,514,185
Securities sold short, at fair value |  | $ (30,294) | $ (38,642)
Weighted Average |  |  |
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |
Weighted Average Coupon |  | 3.63% | 3.92%
Weighted Average Yield |  | 3.45% | 4.77%
Weighted average life |  | 5 years 11 months 4 days | 4 years 5 months 26 days
Long |  |  |
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |
Current Principal |  | $ 1,903,845 | $ 1,446,237
Unamortized Premium (Discount) |  | (143,637) | (199,280)
Amortized Cost |  | 1,885,646 | 1,508,997
Gross Unrealized Gains |  | 45,856 | 60,617
Gross Unrealized Losses |  | (35,939) | (55,429)
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) |  | $ 1,895,563 | $ 1,514,185
Long | Weighted Average |  |  |
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |
Weighted Average Coupon |  | 3.57% | 3.84%
Weighted Average Yield |  | 3.50% | 4.88%
Weighted average life |  | 5 years 10 months 20 days | 4 years 5 months 12 days
Long | 15-year fixed-rate mortgages |  |  |
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |
Current Principal |  | $ 219,169 | $ 67,875
Unamortized Premium (Discount) |  | 10,304 | 2,543
Amortized Cost |  | 229,473 | 70,418
Gross Unrealized Gains |  | 1,491 | 1,832
Gross Unrealized Losses |  | (1,033) | (36)
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) |  | $ 229,931 | $ 72,214
Long | 15-year fixed-rate mortgages | Weighted Average |  |  |
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |
Weighted Average Coupon |  | 2.65% | 3.30%
Weighted Average Yield |  | 1.42% | 1.83%
Weighted average life |  | 4 years 5 months 19 days | 3 years 2 months 26 days
Long | 20-year fixed-rate mortgages |  |  |
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |
Current Principal |  | $ 48,893 | $ 50,131
Unamortized Premium (Discount) |  | 2,892 | 3,097
Amortized Cost |  | 51,785 | 53,228
Gross Unrealized Gains |  | 20 | 182
Gross Unrealized Losses |  | (852) | 0
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) |  | $ 50,953 | $ 53,410
Long | 20-year fixed-rate mortgages | Weighted Average |  |  |
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |
Weighted Average Coupon |  | 2.45% | 2.57%
Weighted Average Yield |  | 1.22% | 1.08%
Weighted average life |  | 5 years 6 months | 4 years 5 months 15 days
Long | 30-year fixed-rate mortgages |  |  |
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |
Current Principal |  | $ 1,079,522 | $ 626,021
Unamortized Premium (Discount) |  | 55,479 | 30,738
Amortized Cost |  | 1,135,001 | 656,759
Gross Unrealized Gains |  | 14,478 | 25,765
Gross Unrealized Losses |  | (5,847) | (444)
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) |  | $ 1,143,632 | $ 682,080
Long | 30-year fixed-rate mortgages | Weighted Average |  |  |
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |
Weighted Average Coupon |  | 3.21% | 3.99%
Weighted Average Yield |  | 2.09% | 2.35%
Weighted average life |  | 6 years 7 months 9 days | 4 years 2 months 1 day
Long | Adjustable rate mortgages |  |  |
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |
Current Principal |  | $ 10,436 | $ 6,171
Unamortized Premium (Discount) |  | 558 | 159
Amortized Cost |  | 10,994 | 6,330
Gross Unrealized Gains |  | 36 | 124
Gross Unrealized Losses |  | (150) | 0
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) |  | $ 10,880 | $ 6,454
Long | Adjustable rate mortgages | Weighted Average |  |  |
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |
Weighted Average Coupon |  | 3.21% | 3.66%
Weighted Average Yield |  | 2.28% | 2.27%
Weighted average life |  | 4 years 7 months 24 days | 3 years 5 months 1 day
Long | Reverse mortgages |  |  |
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |
Current Principal |  | $ 59,894 | $ 89,383
Unamortized Premium (Discount) |  | 3,683 | 5,152
Amortized Cost |  | 63,577 | 94,535
Gross Unrealized Gains |  | 759 | 3,123
Gross Unrealized Losses |  | (802) | (29)
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) |  | $ 63,534 | $ 97,629
Long | Reverse mortgages | Weighted Average |  |  |
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |
Weighted Average Coupon |  | 3.21% | 3.97%
Weighted Average Yield |  | 2.28% | 2.37%
Weighted average life |  | 4 years 3 months 10 days | 4 years 7 months 6 days
Long | Interest only securities |  |  |
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |
Amortized Cost |  | $ 35,948 | $ 43,406
Gross Unrealized Gains |  | 4,640 | 5,808
Gross Unrealized Losses |  | (2,511) | (1,558)
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) |  | $ 38,077 | $ 47,656
Long | Interest only securities | Weighted Average |  |  |
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |
Weighted Average Coupon |  | 3.51% | 3.36%
Weighted Average Yield |  | 7.90% | 10.01%
Weighted average life |  | 4 years 6 months | 4 years 10 months 6 days
Long | Non-Agency RMBS |  |  |
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |
Current Principal |  | $ 311,561 | $ 321,842
Unamortized Premium (Discount) |  | (131,975) | (131,083)
Amortized Cost |  | 179,586 | 190,759
Gross Unrealized Gains |  | 10,730 | 15,880
Gross Unrealized Losses |  | (5,306) | (5,549)
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) |  | $ 185,010 | $ 201,090
Long | Non-Agency RMBS | Weighted Average |  |  |
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |
Weighted Average Coupon |  | 4.63% | 3.15%
Weighted Average Yield |  | 7.12% | 6.40%
Weighted average life |  | 7 years 1 month 17 days | 5 years 5 months 15 days
Long | CMBS |  |  |
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |
Current Principal |  | $ 33,801 | $ 188,085
Unamortized Premium (Discount) |  | (22,359) | (61,763)
Amortized Cost |  | 11,442 | 126,322
Gross Unrealized Gains |  | 282 | 1,655
Gross Unrealized Losses |  | (926) | (16,910)
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) |  | $ 10,798 | $ 111,067
Long | CMBS | Weighted Average |  |  |
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |
Weighted Average Coupon |  | 2.91% | 2.71%
Weighted Average Yield |  | 10.47% | 7.47%
Weighted average life |  | 8 years 8 months 8 days | 8 years 1 month 2 days
Long | Non-Agency IOs |  |  |
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |
Amortized Cost |  | $ 9,999 | $ 8,123
Gross Unrealized Gains |  | 1,598 | 1,792
Gross Unrealized Losses |  | (248) | (305)
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) |  | $ 11,349 | $ 9,610
Long | Non-Agency IOs | Weighted Average |  |  |
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |
Weighted Average Coupon |  | 0.98% | 1.17%
Weighted Average Yield |  | 14.00% | 18.85%
Weighted average life |  | 6 years 3 months 10 days | 3 years 5 months 26 days
Long | CLOs |  |  |
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |
Amortized Cost |  | $ 74,021 | $ 208,907
Gross Unrealized Gains |  | 6,888 | 2,563
Gross Unrealized Losses |  | (13,631) | (30,199)
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) |  | $ 67,278 | $ 181,271
Long | CLOs | Weighted Average |  |  |
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |
Weighted Average Coupon |  | 3.57% | 3.67%
Weighted Average Yield |  | 9.15% | 8.50%
Weighted average life |  | 3 years 2 months 23 days | 3 years 6 months
Long | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans |  |  |
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |
Current Principal |  | $ 112,732 | $ 69,646
Unamortized Premium (Discount) |  | (38,471) | (24,936)
Amortized Cost |  | 74,261 | 44,710
Gross Unrealized Gains |  | 1,383 | 221
Gross Unrealized Losses |  | (4,349) | (6)
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) |  | $ 71,295 | $ 44,925
Long | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans | Weighted Average |  |  |
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |
Weighted Average Coupon |  | 11.49% | 11.95%
Weighted Average Yield |  | 14.99% | 18.57%
Weighted average life |  | 1 year 3 months 3 days | 1 year 1 month 9 days
Long | Corporate debt securities |  |  |
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |
Current Principal |  | $ 27,837 | $ 27,083
Unamortized Premium (Discount) |  | (23,748) | (23,187)
Amortized Cost |  | 4,089 | 3,896
Gross Unrealized Gains |  | 865 | 1,296
Gross Unrealized Losses |  | (122) | (3)
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) |  | $ 4,832 | $ 5,189
Long | Corporate debt securities | Weighted Average |  |  |
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |
Weighted Average Coupon |  | 0.76% | 2.13%
Weighted Average Yield |  | 7.50% | 6.75%
Weighted average life |  | 2 years 1 month 17 days | 3 years 1 month 6 days
Long | Corporate equity securities |  |  |
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |
Amortized Cost |  | $ 5,470 | $ 1,604
Gross Unrealized Gains |  | 2,686 | 376
Gross Unrealized Losses |  | (162) | (390)
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) |  | 7,994 | 1,590
Short |  |  |
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |
Current Principal |  | (29,989) | (38,004)
Unamortized Premium (Discount) |  | 553 | 3,162
Investment Sold, Not yet Purchased, Sale Proceeds |  | (29,436) | (34,842)
Gross Unrealized Gains |  | 227 | 0
Gross Unrealized Losses |  | (1,085) | (3,800)
Securities sold short, at fair value |  | $ (30,294) | $ (38,642)
Short | Weighted Average |  |  |
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |
Weighted Average Coupon |  | 0.02% | 0.26%
Weighted Average Yield |  | 0.05% | 0.09%
Weighted average life |  | 3 years 5 months 23 days | 3 years 1 month 17 days
Short | Corporate debt securities |  |  |
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |
Current Principal |  |  | $ (200)
Unamortized Premium (Discount) |  |  | (1)
Investment Sold, Not yet Purchased, Sale Proceeds |  |  | (201)
Gross Unrealized Gains |  |  | 0
Gross Unrealized Losses |  |  | (17)
Securities sold short, at fair value |  |  | $ (218)
Short | Corporate debt securities | Weighted Average |  |  |
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |
Weighted Average Coupon |  |  | 5.09%
Weighted Average Yield |  |  | 4.67%
Weighted average life |  |  | 6 years 5 months 1 day
Short | European sovereign bonds |  |  |
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |
Current Principal |  | $ (29,989) | $ (37,804)
Unamortized Premium (Discount) |  | 553 | 3,163
Investment Sold, Not yet Purchased, Sale Proceeds |  | (29,436) | (34,641)
Gross Unrealized Gains |  | 227 | 0
Gross Unrealized Losses |  | (1,085) | (3,783)
Securities sold short, at fair value |  | $ (30,294) | $ (38,424)
Short | European sovereign bonds | Weighted Average |  |  |
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |
Weighted Average Coupon |  | 0.02% | 0.23%
Weighted Average Yield |  | 0.05% | 0.06%
Weighted average life |  | 3 years 5 months 23 days | 3 years 1 month 9 days
[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.
[2] | Includes assets pledged as collateral to counterparties. See Note 11 for additional details on the Company's borrowings and related collateral.

X
- Definition Financial Instruments Sold, Not yet Purchased, Amortized Cost + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | efc_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAmortizedCost
Namespace Prefix: | efc_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The net fair value of an entity's securities position as of the reporting date. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | efc_InvestmentOwnedAtFairValueNet
Namespace Prefix: | efc_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Investment, estimated remaining life + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | efc_Investmentestimatedremaininglife
Namespace Prefix: | efc_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Investment yield + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | efc_Investmentyield
Namespace Prefix: | efc_
Data Type: | dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount, before tax, of unrealized gain in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) on investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale). + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123581744&loc=d3e27161-111563 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount, before tax, of unrealized loss in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) on investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale). + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123581744&loc=d3e27161-111563 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition This item represents the cost of debt and equity securities, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, net of adjustments including accretion, amortization, collection of cash, previous other-than-temporary impairments recognized in earnings (less any cumulative-effect adjustments recognized, as defined), and fair value hedge accounting adjustments, if any. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(6)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120398452&loc=d3e534808-122878 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 326 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124258926&loc=SL82898722-210454 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124260329&loc=d3e26610-111562 Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (aa) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123581744&loc=d3e27161-111563 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount, after accumulated amortization, of debt discount (premium). + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 835 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124435984&loc=d3e28555-108399 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 835 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124435984&loc=d3e28551-108399 Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 835 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124435984&loc=d3e28567-108399 Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 835 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1A -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124435984&loc=d3e28541-108399 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 470 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1D -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123466505&loc=SL123495340-112611 Reference 6: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 835 -SubTopic 30 -Section 55 -Paragraph 8 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775985&loc=d3e28878-108400 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Fair value of obligations incurred from short sales. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 940 -SubTopic 320 -Section 35 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35711043&loc=d3e42429-110968 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Rate of interest on investment. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 5 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123581744&loc=d3e27232-111563 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123581744&loc=d3e27161-111563 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_InvestmentInterestRate
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Nominal or face amount on the investment owned. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 20 -Section 10 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6438156&loc=d3e57880-113973 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 10 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6431724&loc=d3e32938-113948 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedUnderlyingFaceAmountAtMarketValue
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition For investments which are quantified by principal amount, the principle balance held at close of period. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 946 -SubTopic 320 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.12-12A.Column B) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=122147990&loc=d3e611177-123010 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | srt_RangeAxis=srt_WeightedAverageMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_PositionAxis=us-gaap_LongMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=efc_FixedRateResidentialMortgages15YearMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=efc_FixedRateResidentialMortgages20YearMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=efc_FixedRateResidentialMortgages30YearMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_AdjustableRateResidentialMortgageMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=efc_ReverseMortgagesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_InterestOnlyStripMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByPrivateEnterprisesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=efc_NonAgencyInterestOnlySecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_CollateralizedLoanObligationsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_PositionAxis=us-gaap_ShortMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |