Related Party Transactions - Narrative (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands, shares in Millions		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Nov. 05, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014		Aug. 31, 2014
Investments with affiliate, available-for-sale equity securities - fair value		$ 123,343		$ 123,343		$ 143,045	[1]
Receivable for advisory and service fees, from affiliates		$ 10,589		$ 10,589		$ 10,402	[1]
Amendment Agreement
Basis for management fee				Amount equal to 1/12th of 1.05% of stockholders' equity,
Management Agreement, term	2 years
Term of management agreement expiration date	Dec. 31, 2016
Renewal term	2 years
Management agreement, termination, description				At least two-thirds of the Company's independent directors or the holders of a majority of the Company's outstanding shares of common stock elect to terminate the agreement in their sole discretion and for any or no reason.
Amendment Agreement | Minimum
Management agreement, required period to terminate from the date of the notice	1 year
Chimera
Investments with affiliate, available-for-sale equity securities - shares		9.0		9.0		9.0
Investments with affiliate, available-for-sale equity securities - fair value		$ 123,300		$ 123,300		$ 143,000
Reverse stock split description				On April 6, 2015, Chimera executed a 1:5 reverse stock split.
Investments with affiliate, available-for-sale equity securities - unrealized gains				$ (15,500)		4,200
Advisory fees from affiliate		10,600	$ 6,100	$ 21,100	$ 12,200
Effective date				August 8, 2014
Management fee percentage								75.00%
Receivable for advisory and service fees, from affiliates		$ 10,600		$ 10,600		$ 10,400
Chimera | Maximum
Management fee percentage								120.00%

[1] Derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at December 31, 2014.