v3.21.2
Valuation (Schedule of Financial Instruments) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Sep. 30, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) [1],[2] $ 1,895,563 $ 1,514,185
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value [1] 142,019 141,620
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 15,976 15,479
Investments sold short, at fair value- (30,294) (38,642)
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (14,119) (24,553)
Other secured borrowings, at fair value [1] (872,306) (754,921)
Level 3 | Non-Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Total assets 106,600 127,838
Level 3 | CMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Total assets 12,148 63,148
Level 3 | CLOs    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Total assets 30,121 111,100
Level 3 | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Total assets   44,925
Level 3 | Corporate loan [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Total assets 16,561  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Total assets 4,050,087 3,124,764
Total liabilities (916,719) (818,116)
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-   (218)
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- (30,294) (38,424)
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- (1,955) (6,438)
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- (101) (747)
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- (38) (130)
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- (8,851) (15,174)
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- (3,081) (925)
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- (93) (376)
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-   (279)
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-   (484)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Other secured borrowings, at fair value    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Other secured borrowings, at fair value (872,306) (754,921)
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)(2) 1,537,007 959,443
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)(2) 193,553 204,114
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | CMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) 13,604 117,653
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | CLOs    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) 67,278 181,271
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)(2) 71,295 44,925
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)(2) 4,832 5,189
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)(2) 7,994 1,590
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 1,656,701 1,187,069
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 267,591 213,031
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Loans | Consumer loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 55,676 47,525
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 16,561 5,855
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- 303 347
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- 174 3,420
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- 1,599 2,184
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- 8,617 8,519
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- 2,399 962
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- 1,440 2
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- 360  
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-   9
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- 938 36
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Put Option [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 146  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Investment in unconsolidated entities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value 142,019 141,620
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Total assets 1,440 2
Total liabilities (93) (376)
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
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- (93) (376)
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
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
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Other secured borrowings, at fair value    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Other secured borrowings, 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)(2) 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)(2) 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)(2) 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)(2) 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)(2) 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)(2) 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)(2) 0 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 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- 1,440 2
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  
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
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 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Put Option [Member]    
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 | Investment in unconsolidated entities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Total assets 1,665,487 1,164,960
Total liabilities (44,320) (62,335)
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-   (218)
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- (30,294) (38,424)
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- (1,955) (6,438)
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- (101) (747)
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- (38) (130)
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- (8,851) (15,174)
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- (3,081) (925)
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-   (279)
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
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Other secured borrowings, at fair value    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Other secured borrowings, at fair value 0 0
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)(2) 1,525,275 947,780
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)(2) 86,953 76,276
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)(2) 1,456 54,505
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)(2) 37,157 70,171
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)(2) 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)(2) 413 1,107
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)(2) 0 0
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- 174 3,420
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- 1,599 2,184
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- 8,617 8,519
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- 2,399 962
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- 360  
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
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- 938 36
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Put Option [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 146  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Investment in unconsolidated entities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Total assets 2,383,160 1,959,802
Total liabilities (872,306) (755,405)
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
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
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-   (484)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Other secured borrowings, at fair value    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Other secured borrowings, at fair value (872,306) (754,921)
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)(2) 11,732 11,663
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)(2) 106,600 127,838
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)(2) 12,148 63,148
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)(2) 30,121 111,100
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)(2) 71,295 44,925
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)(2) 4,419 4,082
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)(2) 7,994 1,590
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 1,656,701 1,187,069
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 267,591 213,031
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 55,676 47,525
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 16,561 5,855
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- 303 347
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 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  
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-   9
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 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Put Option [Member]    
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 | Investment in unconsolidated entities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value $ 142,019 $ 141,620
[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.