Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2025
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	The accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2024 has been derived from audited financial statements. The accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2025, the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of changes in stockholders’ equity for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024 and the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024 are unaudited. In our opinion, all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows have been made. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted in accordance with Article 10 of Regulation S-X and the instructions to Form 10-Q. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, significant accounting policies and other disclosures have been omitted since such items are disclosed in Note 2 in the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024. Provided in this section is a summary of additional accounting policies that are significant to, or newly adopted by, the Company for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025. The results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year.The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Management has made significant estimates in several areas, including fair valuation of its financial instruments reported at fair value, real estate held by Consolidated VIEs and redemption value of redeemable non-controlling interests in Consolidated VIEs. Although the Company’s estimates contemplate current conditions and how it expects those conditions to change in the future, it is reasonably possible that actual conditions could be different than anticipated in those estimates, which could materially impact the Company’s results of operations and its financial condition.
Reclassifications	Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements to conform to current period presentation.
Principles of Consolidation and Variable Interest Entities	The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of all its subsidiaries which are majority-owned, controlled by the Company or a VIE where the Company is the primary beneficiary. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation (see Note 7). A VIE is an entity that lacks one or more of the characteristics of a voting interest entity. The Company consolidates a VIE in accordance with ASC 810, Consolidation ("ASC 810") when it is the primary beneficiary of such VIE, herein referred to as a Consolidated VIE. As primary beneficiary, the Company has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and a right to receive benefits or absorb losses of the entity that could be potentially significant to the VIE. The Company is required to reconsider its evaluation of whether to consolidate a VIE each reporting period, based upon changes in the facts and circumstances pertaining to the VIE. The Company evaluates the initial consolidation of each Consolidated VIE, which includes a determination of whether the VIE constitutes the definition of a business in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations ("ASC 805"), by considering if substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets within the VIE are concentrated in either a single identifiable asset or group of single identifiable assets. Upon consolidation, the Company recognizes the assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any third-party ownership of membership interests as non-controlling interest as of the consolidation or acquisition date, measured at their relative fair values (see Note 7). Non-controlling interest in Consolidated VIEs is adjusted prospectively for its share of the allocation of income or loss and equity contributions and distributions from each respective Consolidated VIE. The third-party owners of certain of the non-controlling interests in Consolidated VIEs have the ability to sell their ownership interests to the Company, at their election, subject to certain conditions. The Company has classified these third-party ownership interests as redeemable non-controlling interest in Consolidated VIEs in mezzanine equity on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Derivative Financial Instruments	The Company enters into various types of derivative financial instruments in connection with its risk management activities which are recorded on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as assets or liabilities at fair value in accordance with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. Changes in fair value are accounted for depending on the use of the derivative financial instruments and whether they qualify for hedge accounting treatment. The Company elected not to apply hedge accounting for its derivative financial instruments; accordingly, all changes in fair value are reported on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations as gains (losses) on derivative instruments, net. The Company is subject to interest rate risk exposure in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. Primarily to help mitigate interest rate risk, the Company may enter into interest rate swaps. Interest rate swaps are contractual agreements whereby one party pays a floating interest rate, based on SOFR, on a notional principal amount and receives a fixed-rate payment on the same notional principal, or vice versa, for a fixed period of time. The variable rate the Company pays or receives under its swap agreements has the effect of offsetting the repricing characteristics and cash flows of the Company's financing arrangements. Interest rate swaps change in value with movements in interest rates. The Company has TBAs that are forward contracts for the purchase (“long position”) or sale (“short position”) of Agency fixed-rate RMBS at a predetermined price, face amount, issuer, coupon, and stated maturity on an agreed-upon future date. The specific Agency RMBS delivered into or received from the contract upon settlement date, published each month by the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, are not known at the time of the transaction. The Company may also choose, prior to settlement, to move the settlement of these securities out to a later date by entering into an offsetting short or long position (referred to as a “pair off”), net settling the paired off positions for cash and simultaneously purchasing or selling a similar TBA contract for a later settlement date. This transaction is commonly referred to as a “dollar roll”. The Agency RMBS purchased or sold for a forward settlement date are typically priced at a discount to Agency RMBS for settlement in the current month. This difference, or discount, is referred to as the “price drop”. The price drop represents the economic equivalent of net interest income on the underlying Agency RMBS over the roll period (interest income less implied financing cost) and is commonly referred to as “dollar roll income/(loss)”. Consequently, forward purchases of Agency RMBS and dollar roll transactions represent a form of off-balance sheet financing. The Company accounts for TBAs (whether net long or net short positions, or collectively “TBA dollar roll positions”) as derivative instruments because it cannot assert that it is probable at inception and throughout the term of an individual TBA transaction that its settlement will result in physical delivery of the underlying Agency RMBS, or that the individual TBA transaction will settle in the shortest period possible. Dollar roll income is recognized in gains (losses) on derivative instruments, net on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Company has U.S. Treasury future contracts that obligate the Company to sell or buy U.S. Treasury securities for future delivery. The Company has purchased credit default swap index contracts under which a counterparty, in exchange for a premium, agrees to compensate the Company for the financial loss associated with the occurrence of a credit event in relation to a notional value of an index. The Company may purchase equity index put options that give the Company the right to sell or buy the underlying index at a specified strike price. The Company may also purchase credit default swap index options that allow the Company to enter into a fixed rate payor position in the underlying credit default swap index at the agreed-upon strike level. The Company elects to net the fair value of its derivative contracts by counterparty when appropriate. These contracts contain legally enforceable provisions that allow for netting or setting off of all individual derivative receivables and payables with each counterparty and therefore, the fair values of those derivative contracts are reported net by counterparty. All of the Company’s interest rate swaps, credit default swaps and U.S. Treasury futures are cleared through two central clearing houses, CME Group Inc. ("CME Clearing"), which is the parent company of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc., or the Intercontinental Exchange ("ICE"). CME Clearing and ICE serve as the counterparty to every cleared transaction, becoming the buyer to each seller and the seller to each buyer, limiting the credit risk by guaranteeing the financial performance of both parties and netting down exposures. CME Clearing and ICE require that the Company post an initial margin amount determined by the respective central clearing house, which is generally intended to be set at a level sufficient to protect the exchange from the derivative financial instrument's maximum estimated single-day price movement. The Company also exchanges variation margin based upon daily changes in fair value, as measured by CME Clearing and ICE. The exchange of variation margin is treated as a legal settlement of the exposure under these contracts, as opposed to pledged collateral. Accordingly, the Company accounts for the receipt or payment of variation margin as a direct reduction of or increase in the carrying value of the related asset or liability. The receipt or payment of initial margin is accounted for separate from the derivative asset or liability, classified within restricted cash and included in other assets on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. Any additional amounts due from or due to counterparties in connection with the Company's derivatives, are included in other assets or other liabilities, respectively, on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company and Consolidated Real Estate VIEs may be required by lenders on certain repurchase agreement financing and variable-rate mortgages payable on real estate to enter into interest rate cap contracts that limit the indexed portion of the interest rate on the respective related financing to a strike rate based upon various SOFR tenors. Cash flow activity related to derivative instruments is reflected within the operating activities and investing activities sections of the Company's condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. Realized gains or losses, if any, and unrealized gains or losses, if any, on the Company's derivative instruments are included in the gains (losses) on derivative instruments, net line item within the operating activities section of the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. The remaining cash flow activity related to derivative instruments is reflected within the net payments received from (made on) derivative instruments and net variation margin received (paid) for derivative instruments line items within the investing activities section of the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.
Summary of Recent Accounting Pronouncements	In November 2024, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2024-03, Income Statement — Reporting Comprehensive Income — Expense Disaggregation Disclosures ("ASU 2024-03"). ASU 2024-03 requires a public business entity to disclose specific information about certain costs and expenses in the notes to financial statements. The effective date for ASU 2024-03, as amended by ASU 2025-01, Income Statement — Reporting Comprehensive Income — Expense Disaggregation Disclosures: Clarifying the Effective Date, is for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027. The Company expects that the adoption of ASU 2024-03 will result in additional disclosures in its notes to consolidated financial statements. In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures ("ASU 2023-09"). ASU 2023-09 requires enhanced disclosures in connection with an entity's effective tax rate reconciliation and additional disclosures about income taxes paid. ASU 2023-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company expects that the adoption of ASU 2023-09 will result in additional income tax disclosures in its notes to consolidated financial statements.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	The Company has established and documented processes for determining fair values. Fair value is based upon quoted market prices, where available. If listed prices or quotes are not available, then fair value is based upon internally developed models that primarily use inputs that are market-based or independently-sourced market parameters, including interest rate yield curves. A financial instrument’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels of valuation hierarchy are defined as follows: Level 1 - inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. Level 2 - inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument. Level 3 - inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement. The following describes the valuation methodologies used for the Company’s financial instruments measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy. a.Residential Loans Held in Consolidated SLST – Residential loans held in Consolidated SLST are carried at fair value and classified as Level 3 fair values. In accordance with the practical expedient in ASC 810, the Company determines the fair value of residential loans held in Consolidated SLST based on the fair value of the CDOs issued by the respective securitizations and its investment in the securitizations (eliminated in consolidation in accordance with GAAP), as the fair value of these instruments is more observable. The investment securities (eliminated in consolidation in accordance with GAAP) that we own in the securitizations are generally illiquid and trade infrequently. As such, they are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The fair valuation of these investment securities is determined based on an internal valuation model that considers expected cash flows from the underlying loans and yields required by market participants. The significant unobservable inputs used in the measurement of these investments are projected losses within the pool of loans and a discount rate. The discount rate used in determining fair value incorporates default rate, loss severity, prepayment rate and current market interest rates. Significant increases or decreases in these inputs would result in a significantly lower or higher fair value measurement. b.Residential Loans and Residential Loans Held in Securitization Trusts – The Company’s acquired residential loans are recorded at fair value and classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value for residential loans is determined using valuations obtained from a third party that specializes in providing valuations of residential loans. The valuation approach depends on whether the residential loan is considered performing, re-performing or non-performing at the date the valuation is performed. For performing and re-performing loans, estimates of fair value are derived using a discounted cash flow model, where estimates of cash flows are determined from scheduled payments for each loan, adjusted using forecast prepayment rates, default rates and rates for loss upon default. For non-performing loans, asset liquidation cash flows are derived based on the estimated time to liquidate the loan, expected liquidation costs and home price appreciation. Estimated cash flows for both performing and non-performing loans are discounted at yields considered appropriate to arrive at a reasonable exit price for the asset. Indications of loan value such as actual trades, bids, offers and generic market color may be used in determining the appropriate discount yield. The Company independently calculates the fair value of residential loans based on discounted cash flows using an internal pricing model to validate all third party valuations of residential loans. The Company has established thresholds to compare internally generated prices with independent third-party prices and any differences that exceed the thresholds are reviewed both internally and with the third-party pricing service. The Company reconciles and resolves all pricing differences in excess of the thresholds before a final price is established. c.Preferred Equity and Mezzanine Loan Investments – Fair value for preferred equity and mezzanine loan investments is determined by both market comparable pricing and discounted cash flows. The discounted cash flows are based on the underlying estimated cash flows and estimated changes in market yields. The fair value also reflects consideration of changes in credit risk since the origination or time of initial investment. This fair value measurement is generally based on unobservable inputs and, as such, is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. d.Investment Securities Available for Sale – The Company determines the fair value of its Agency RMBS and non-Agency RMBS based on discounted cash flows utilizing an internal pricing model. The methodology considers the characteristics of the particular security and its underlying collateral, which are observable inputs. These inputs include, but are not limited to, delinquency status, coupon, loan-to-value ("LTV"), historical performance, periodic and life caps, collateral type, rate reset period, seasoning, prepayment speeds and credit enhancement levels. The Company also considers several observable market data points, including prices obtained from third-party pricing services or dealers who make markets in similar financial instruments, trading activity, and dialogue with market participants. Third-party pricing services typically incorporate commonly used market pricing methods, trading activity observed in the marketplace and other data inputs similar to those used in the Company's internal pricing model. The Company has established thresholds to compare internally generated prices with independent third-party prices and any differences that exceed the thresholds are reviewed both internally and with the third-party pricing service. The Company reconciles and resolves all pricing differences in excess of the thresholds before a final price is established. The Company determines the fair value of its U.S. Treasury securities using a third-party pricing service that compiles prices from various sources or using pricing models that consider observable market data to determine the fair value of identical or similar securities. The Company’s investment securities available for sale are valued based upon readily observable market parameters and are classified as Level 2 fair values. e.Equity Investments – Fair value for equity investments is determined by (i) the valuation process for preferred equity and mezzanine loan investments as described in c. above, (ii) using a direct capitalization rate applied to stabilized net income of the underlying property, (iii) using the negotiated membership interest purchase price or (iv) using weighted multiples of origination volume and earnings before taxes, depreciation and amortization of the entity and the net asset value ("NAV") of the equity investment entity. These fair value measurements are generally based on unobservable inputs and, as such, are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. f.Derivative Instruments – The Company's interest rate swaps, credit default swaps and U.S. Treasury futures are classified as Level 2 fair values and are measured using valuations reported by the respective central clearing houses. The derivatives are presented net of variation margin payments pledged or received. The fair values of the Company's interest rate cap agreements are measured using models developed by either third-party pricing providers or the respective counterparty that use the market-standard methodology of discounting the future expected cash receipts which would occur if floating interest rates rise above the strike rate of the caps. The floating interest rates used in the calculation of projected receipts on the interest rate caps are based on an expectation of future interest rates derived from observable market interest rate curves and volatilities. The inputs used in the valuation of interest rate caps fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company's options and TBAs are classified as Level 2 fair values and are measured using prices obtained from the counterparty. The Company obtains additional third-party valuations for interest rate swaps, credit default swaps, U.S. Treasury futures, interest rate cap agreements, option contracts and TBAs. The Company has established thresholds to compare different independent third-party prices and any differences that exceed the thresholds are reviewed both internally and with the third-party pricing services. The Company reconciles and resolves all pricing differences in excess of the thresholds before a final price is established. g.Mortgage Servicing Rights – The Company's MSRs are recorded at fair value and are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. Although MSR transactions may be observable in the marketplace, the details of those transactions may not be representative of the Company's MSR portfolio. Accordingly, the fair value of the Company's MSRs is determined using valuations obtained from a third party that specializes in providing valuations of MSRs. The valuation incorporates both observable market data and unobservable market data including prepayment speeds, rates of default and discount rates as inputs to a discounted cash flow model. The Company independently calculates the fair value of its MSRs based on discounted cash flows using a pricing model to validate all third party-valuations of MSRs. The Company has established thresholds to compare internally generated prices with independent third-party prices and any differences that exceed the thresholds are reviewed both internally and with the third-party pricing service. The Company reconciles and resolves all pricing differences in excess of the thresholds before a final price is established. h.Collateralized Debt Obligations – CDOs issued by Consolidated SLST are classified as Level 3 fair values for which fair value is determined by considering several market data points, including prices obtained from third-party pricing services or dealers who make markets in similar financial instruments. The third-party pricing service or dealers incorporate common market pricing methods, including a spread measurement to the Treasury curve or interest rate swap curve as well as underlying characteristics of the particular security. They will also consider contractual cash payments and yields expected by market participants. Refer to a. above for a description of the fair valuation of CDOs issued by Consolidated SLST that are eliminated in consolidation. Fair value for CDOs issued by the Company's residential loan securitizations and non-Agency RMBS re-securitization is determined by the valuation process for investment securities available for sale as described in d. above and, as such, are classified as Level 2 fair values. i.Senior unsecured notes – The Company's 9.125% 2030 Senior Notes and 2029 Senior Notes are valued using pricing models that consider observable market data to determine the fair value of identical or similar securities and are classified as Level 2 fair values. Management reviews all prices used in determining fair value to ensure they represent current market conditions. This review includes surveying similar market transactions and comparisons to interest pricing models as well as offerings of like securities by dealers. Any changes to the valuation methodology are reviewed by management to ensure the changes are appropriate. As markets and products develop and the pricing for certain products becomes more transparent, the Company continues to refine its valuation methodologies. The methods described above may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, while the Company believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies, or assumptions, to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date. The Company uses inputs that are current as of each reporting date, which may include periods of market dislocation, during which time price transparency may be reduced. This condition could cause the Company’s financial instruments to be reclassified from Level 2 to Level 3 in future periods. In addition to the methodology to determine the fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities reported at fair value, as previously described, the following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in arriving at the fair value of the Company’s other financial instruments in the table immediately above: a.Cash and cash equivalents – Estimated fair value approximates the carrying value of such assets. b.Repurchase agreements – The fair value of these repurchase agreements approximates cost as they are short term in nature. c.Residential loan securitizations at amortized cost, net – The fair value of these CDOs is based on discounted cash flows as well as market pricing on comparable obligations. d.Subordinated debentures – The fair value of these subordinated debentures is based on discounted cash flows using management’s estimate for market yields. e.Senior unsecured notes – The fair value of senior unsecured notes reported at amortized cost, net is determined using pricing models that consider observable market data to determine the fair value of identical or similar securities. f.Mortgages payable on real estate – The fair value of consolidated variable-rate mortgages payable approximates the carrying value of such liabilities. The fair value of consolidated fixed-rate mortgages payable is estimated based upon discounted cash flows at current borrowing rates.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2025

The accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2024 has been derived from audited financial statements. The accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2025, the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of changes in stockholders’ equity for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024 and the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024 are unaudited. In our opinion, all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows have been made. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted in accordance with Article 10 of Regulation S-X and the instructions to Form 10-Q. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, significant accounting policies and other disclosures have been omitted since such items are disclosed in Note 2 in the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024. Provided in this section is a summary of additional accounting policies that are significant to, or newly adopted by, the Company for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025. The results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year.The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Management has made significant estimates in several areas, including fair valuation of its financial instruments reported at fair value, real estate held by Consolidated VIEs and redemption value of redeemable non-controlling interests in Consolidated VIEs. Although the Company’s estimates contemplate current conditions and how it expects those conditions to change in the future, it is reasonably possible that actual conditions could be different than anticipated in those estimates, which could materially impact the Company’s results of operations and its financial condition.

Reclassifications

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements to conform to current period presentation.

Principles of Consolidation and Variable Interest Entities

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of all its subsidiaries which are majority-owned, controlled by the Company or a VIE where the Company is the primary beneficiary. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation (see Note 7).

A VIE is an entity that lacks one or more of the characteristics of a voting interest entity. The Company consolidates a VIE in accordance with ASC 810, Consolidation ("ASC 810") when it is the primary beneficiary of such VIE, herein referred to as a Consolidated VIE. As primary beneficiary, the Company has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and a right to receive benefits or absorb losses of the entity that could be potentially significant to the VIE. The Company is required to reconsider its evaluation of whether to consolidate a VIE each reporting period, based upon changes in the facts and circumstances pertaining to the VIE.

The Company evaluates the initial consolidation of each Consolidated VIE, which includes a determination of whether the VIE constitutes the definition of a business in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations ("ASC 805"), by considering if substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets within the VIE are concentrated in either a single identifiable asset or group of single identifiable assets. Upon consolidation, the Company recognizes the assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any third-party ownership of membership interests as non-controlling interest as of the consolidation or acquisition date, measured at their relative fair values (see Note 7). Non-controlling interest in Consolidated VIEs is adjusted prospectively for its share of the allocation of income or loss and equity contributions and distributions from each respective Consolidated VIE. The third-party owners of certain of the non-controlling interests in Consolidated VIEs have the ability to sell their ownership interests to the Company, at their election, subject to certain conditions. The Company has classified these third-party ownership interests as redeemable non-controlling interest in Consolidated VIEs in mezzanine equity on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company enters into various types of derivative financial instruments in connection with its risk management activities which are recorded on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as assets or liabilities at fair value in accordance with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. Changes in fair value are accounted for depending on the use of the derivative financial instruments and whether they qualify for hedge accounting treatment. The Company elected not to apply hedge accounting for its derivative financial instruments; accordingly, all changes in fair value are reported on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations as gains (losses) on derivative instruments, net.

The Company is subject to interest rate risk exposure in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. Primarily to help mitigate interest rate risk, the Company may enter into interest rate swaps. Interest rate swaps are contractual agreements whereby one party pays a floating interest rate, based on SOFR, on a notional principal amount and receives a fixed-rate payment on the same notional principal, or vice versa, for a fixed period of time. The variable rate the Company pays or receives under its swap agreements has the effect of offsetting the repricing characteristics and cash flows of the Company's financing arrangements. Interest rate swaps change in value with movements in interest rates.

The Company has TBAs that are forward contracts for the purchase (“long position”) or sale (“short position”) of Agency fixed-rate RMBS at a predetermined price, face amount, issuer, coupon, and stated maturity on an agreed-upon future date. The specific Agency RMBS delivered into or received from the contract upon settlement date, published each month by the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, are not known at the time of the transaction. The Company may also choose, prior to settlement, to move the settlement of these securities out to a later date by entering into an offsetting short or long position (referred to as a “pair off”), net settling the paired off positions for cash and simultaneously purchasing or selling a similar TBA contract for a later settlement date. This transaction is commonly referred to as a “dollar roll”. The Agency RMBS purchased or sold for a forward settlement date are typically priced at a discount to Agency RMBS for settlement in the current month. This difference, or discount, is referred to as the “price drop”. The price drop represents the economic equivalent of net interest income on the underlying Agency RMBS over the roll period (interest income less implied financing cost) and is commonly referred to as “dollar roll income/(loss)”. Consequently, forward purchases of Agency RMBS and dollar roll transactions represent a form of off-balance sheet financing. The Company accounts for TBAs (whether net long or net short positions, or collectively “TBA dollar roll positions”) as derivative instruments because it cannot assert that it is probable at inception and throughout the term of an individual TBA transaction that its settlement will result in physical delivery of the underlying Agency RMBS, or that the individual TBA transaction will settle in the shortest period possible. Dollar roll income is recognized in gains (losses) on derivative instruments, net on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.

The Company has U.S. Treasury future contracts that obligate the Company to sell or buy U.S. Treasury securities for future delivery. The Company has purchased credit default swap index contracts under which a counterparty, in exchange for a premium, agrees to compensate the Company for the financial loss associated with the occurrence of a credit event in relation to a notional value of an index. The Company may purchase equity index put options that give the Company the right to sell or buy the underlying index at a specified strike price. The Company may also purchase credit default swap index options that allow the Company to enter into a fixed rate payor position in the underlying credit default swap index at the agreed-upon strike level.

The Company elects to net the fair value of its derivative contracts by counterparty when appropriate. These contracts contain legally enforceable provisions that allow for netting or setting off of all individual derivative receivables and payables with each counterparty and therefore, the fair values of those derivative contracts are reported net by counterparty. All of the Company’s interest rate swaps, credit default swaps and U.S. Treasury futures are cleared through two central clearing houses, CME Group Inc. ("CME Clearing"), which is the parent company of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc., or the Intercontinental Exchange ("ICE"). CME Clearing and ICE serve as the counterparty to every cleared transaction, becoming the buyer to each seller and the seller to each buyer, limiting the credit risk by guaranteeing the financial performance of both parties and netting down exposures. CME Clearing and ICE require that the Company post an initial margin amount determined by the respective central clearing house, which is generally intended to be set at a level sufficient to protect the exchange from the derivative financial instrument's maximum estimated single-day price movement. The Company also exchanges variation margin based upon daily changes in fair value, as measured by CME Clearing and ICE. The exchange of variation margin is treated as a legal settlement of the exposure under these contracts, as opposed to pledged collateral. Accordingly, the Company accounts for the receipt or payment of variation margin as a direct reduction of or increase in the carrying value of the related asset or liability.

The receipt or payment of initial margin is accounted for separate from the derivative asset or liability, classified within restricted cash and included in other assets on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. Any additional amounts due from or due to counterparties in connection with the Company's derivatives, are included in other assets or other liabilities, respectively, on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

The Company and Consolidated Real Estate VIEs may be required by lenders on certain repurchase agreement financing and variable-rate mortgages payable on real estate to enter into interest rate cap contracts that limit the indexed portion of the interest rate on the respective related financing to a strike rate based upon various SOFR tenors.

Cash flow activity related to derivative instruments is reflected within the operating activities and investing activities sections of the Company's condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. Realized gains or losses, if any, and unrealized gains or losses, if any, on the Company's derivative instruments are included in the gains (losses) on derivative instruments, net line item within the operating activities section of the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. The remaining cash flow activity related to derivative instruments is reflected within the net payments received from (made on) derivative instruments and net variation margin received (paid) for derivative instruments line items within the investing activities section of the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

Summary of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2024, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2024-03, Income Statement — Reporting Comprehensive Income — Expense Disaggregation Disclosures ("ASU 2024-03"). ASU 2024-03 requires a public business entity to disclose specific information about certain costs and expenses in the notes to financial statements. The effective date for ASU 2024-03, as amended by ASU 2025-01, Income Statement — Reporting Comprehensive Income — Expense Disaggregation Disclosures: Clarifying the Effective Date, is for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027. The Company expects that the adoption of ASU 2024-03 will result in additional disclosures in its notes to consolidated financial statements.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures ("ASU 2023-09"). ASU 2023-09 requires enhanced disclosures in connection with an entity's effective tax rate reconciliation and additional disclosures about income taxes paid. ASU 2023-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company expects that the adoption of ASU 2023-09 will result in additional income tax disclosures in its notes to consolidated financial statements.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company has established and documented processes for determining fair values. Fair value is based upon quoted market prices, where available. If listed prices or quotes are not available, then fair value is based upon internally developed models that primarily use inputs that are market-based or independently-sourced market parameters, including interest rate yield curves.

A financial instrument’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels of valuation hierarchy are defined as follows:

Level 1 - inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

Level 2 - inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.

Level 3 - inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

The following describes the valuation methodologies used for the Company’s financial instruments measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.

a.Residential Loans Held in Consolidated SLST – Residential loans held in Consolidated SLST are carried at fair value and classified as Level 3 fair values. In accordance with the practical expedient in ASC 810, the Company determines the fair value of residential loans held in Consolidated SLST based on the fair value of the CDOs issued by the respective securitizations and its investment in the securitizations (eliminated in consolidation in accordance with GAAP), as the fair value of these instruments is more observable.

The investment securities (eliminated in consolidation in accordance with GAAP) that we own in the securitizations are generally illiquid and trade infrequently. As such, they are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The fair valuation of these investment securities is determined based on an internal valuation model that considers expected cash flows from the underlying loans and yields required by market participants. The significant unobservable inputs used in the measurement of these investments are projected losses within the pool of loans and a discount rate. The discount rate used in determining fair value incorporates default rate, loss severity, prepayment rate and current market interest rates. Significant increases or decreases in these inputs would result in a significantly lower or higher fair value measurement.

b.Residential Loans and Residential Loans Held in Securitization Trusts – The Company’s acquired residential loans are recorded at fair value and classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value for residential loans is determined using valuations obtained from a third party that specializes in providing valuations of residential loans. The valuation approach depends on whether the residential loan is considered performing, re-performing or non-performing at the date the valuation is performed.

For performing and re-performing loans, estimates of fair value are derived using a discounted cash flow model, where estimates of cash flows are determined from scheduled payments for each loan, adjusted using forecast prepayment rates, default rates and rates for loss upon default. For non-performing loans, asset liquidation cash flows are derived based on the estimated time to liquidate the loan, expected liquidation costs and home price appreciation. Estimated cash flows for both performing and non-performing loans are discounted at yields considered appropriate to arrive at a reasonable exit price for the asset. Indications of loan value such as actual trades, bids, offers and generic market color may be used in determining the appropriate discount yield.

The Company independently calculates the fair value of residential loans based on discounted cash flows using an internal pricing model to validate all third party valuations of residential loans. The Company has established thresholds to compare internally generated prices with independent third-party prices and any differences that exceed the thresholds are reviewed both internally and with the third-party pricing service. The Company reconciles and resolves all pricing differences in excess of the thresholds before a final price is established.

c.Preferred Equity and Mezzanine Loan Investments – Fair value for preferred equity and mezzanine loan investments is determined by both market comparable pricing and discounted cash flows. The discounted cash flows are based on the underlying estimated cash flows and estimated changes in market yields. The fair value also reflects consideration of changes in credit risk since the origination or time of initial investment. This fair value measurement is generally based on unobservable inputs and, as such, is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

d.Investment Securities Available for Sale – The Company determines the fair value of its Agency RMBS and non-Agency RMBS based on discounted cash flows utilizing an internal pricing model. The methodology considers the characteristics of the particular security and its underlying collateral, which are observable inputs. These inputs include, but are not limited to, delinquency status, coupon, loan-to-value ("LTV"), historical performance, periodic and life caps, collateral type, rate reset period, seasoning, prepayment speeds and credit enhancement levels. The Company also considers several observable market data points, including prices obtained from third-party pricing services or dealers who make markets in similar financial instruments, trading activity, and dialogue with market participants. Third-party pricing services typically incorporate commonly used market pricing methods, trading activity observed in the marketplace and other data inputs similar to those used in the Company's internal pricing model. The Company has established thresholds to compare internally generated prices with independent third-party prices and any differences that exceed the thresholds are reviewed both internally and with the third-party pricing service. The Company reconciles and resolves all pricing differences in excess of the thresholds before a final price is established.

The Company determines the fair value of its U.S. Treasury securities using a third-party pricing service that compiles prices from various sources or using pricing models that consider observable market data to determine the fair value of identical or similar securities.

The Company’s investment securities available for sale are valued based upon readily observable market parameters and are classified as Level 2 fair values.

e.Equity Investments – Fair value for equity investments is determined by (i) the valuation process for preferred equity and mezzanine loan investments as described in c. above, (ii) using a direct capitalization rate applied to stabilized net income of the underlying property, (iii) using the negotiated membership interest purchase price or (iv) using weighted multiples of origination volume and earnings before taxes, depreciation and amortization of the entity and the net asset value ("NAV") of the equity investment entity. These fair value measurements are generally based on unobservable inputs and, as such, are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

f.Derivative Instruments – The Company's interest rate swaps, credit default swaps and U.S. Treasury futures are classified as Level 2 fair values and are measured using valuations reported by the respective central clearing houses. The derivatives are presented net of variation margin payments pledged or received.

The fair values of the Company's interest rate cap agreements are measured using models developed by either third-party pricing providers or the respective counterparty that use the market-standard methodology of discounting the future expected cash receipts which would occur if floating interest rates rise above the strike rate of the caps. The floating interest rates used in the calculation of projected receipts on the interest rate caps are based on an expectation of future interest rates derived from observable market interest rate curves and volatilities. The inputs used in the valuation of interest rate caps fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

The Company's options and TBAs are classified as Level 2 fair values and are measured using prices obtained from the counterparty.

The Company obtains additional third-party valuations for interest rate swaps, credit default swaps, U.S. Treasury futures, interest rate cap agreements, option contracts and TBAs. The Company has established thresholds to compare different independent third-party prices and any differences that exceed the thresholds are reviewed both internally and with the third-party pricing services. The Company reconciles and resolves all pricing differences in excess of the thresholds before a final price is established.

g.Mortgage Servicing Rights – The Company's MSRs are recorded at fair value and are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. Although MSR transactions may be observable in the marketplace, the details of those transactions may not be representative of the Company's MSR portfolio. Accordingly, the fair value of the Company's MSRs is determined using valuations obtained from a third party that specializes in providing valuations of MSRs. The valuation incorporates both observable market data and unobservable market data including prepayment speeds, rates of default and discount rates as inputs to a discounted cash flow model.

The Company independently calculates the fair value of its MSRs based on discounted cash flows using a pricing model to validate all third party-valuations of MSRs. The Company has established thresholds to compare internally generated prices with independent third-party prices and any differences that exceed the thresholds are reviewed both internally and with the third-party pricing service. The Company reconciles and resolves all pricing differences in excess of the thresholds before a final price is established.

h.Collateralized Debt Obligations – CDOs issued by Consolidated SLST are classified as Level 3 fair values for which fair value is determined by considering several market data points, including prices obtained from third-party pricing services or dealers who make markets in similar financial instruments. The third-party pricing service or dealers incorporate common market pricing methods, including a spread measurement to the Treasury curve or interest rate swap curve as well as underlying characteristics of the particular security. They will also consider contractual cash payments and yields expected by market participants.

Refer to a. above for a description of the fair valuation of CDOs issued by Consolidated SLST that are eliminated in consolidation.

Fair value for CDOs issued by the Company's residential loan securitizations and non-Agency RMBS re-securitization is determined by the valuation process for investment securities available for sale as described in d. above and, as such, are classified as Level 2 fair values.

i.Senior unsecured notes – The Company's 9.125% 2030 Senior Notes and 2029 Senior Notes are valued using pricing models that consider observable market data to determine the fair value of identical or similar securities and are classified as Level 2 fair values.

Management reviews all prices used in determining fair value to ensure they represent current market conditions. This review includes surveying similar market transactions and comparisons to interest pricing models as well as offerings of like securities by dealers. Any changes to the valuation methodology are reviewed by management to ensure the changes are appropriate. As markets and products develop and the pricing for certain products becomes more transparent, the Company continues to refine its valuation methodologies. The methods described above may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, while the Company believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies, or assumptions, to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date. The Company uses inputs that are current as of each reporting date, which may include periods of market dislocation, during which time price transparency may be reduced. This condition could cause the Company’s financial instruments to be reclassified from Level 2 to Level 3 in future periods.

In addition to the methodology to determine the fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities reported at fair value, as previously described, the following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in arriving at the fair value of the Company’s other financial instruments in the table immediately above:

a.Cash and cash equivalents – Estimated fair value approximates the carrying value of such assets.

b.Repurchase agreements – The fair value of these repurchase agreements approximates cost as they are short term in nature.

c.Residential loan securitizations at amortized cost, net – The fair value of these CDOs is based on discounted cash flows as well as market pricing on comparable obligations.

d.Subordinated debentures – The fair value of these subordinated debentures is based on discounted cash flows using management’s estimate for market yields.

e.Senior unsecured notes – The fair value of senior unsecured notes reported at amortized cost, net is determined using pricing models that consider observable market data to determine the fair value of identical or similar securities.

f.Mortgages payable on real estate – The fair value of consolidated variable-rate mortgages payable approximates the carrying value of such liabilities. The fair value of consolidated fixed-rate mortgages payable is estimated based upon discounted cash flows at current borrowing rates.