CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Interest Income:
MSR related assets	$ 24,830	$ 2,100	$ 0
Residential whole loans held at carrying value	36,187	23,916	16,036
Cash and cash equivalent investments	4,249	774	130
Interest Income	433,448	457,450	492,143
Interest Expense:
Repurchase agreements and other advances	186,347	184,986	166,918
Other interest expense	10,794	8,369	10,030
Interest Expense	197,141	193,355	176,948
Net Interest Income	236,307	264,095	315,195
Other-Than-Temporary Impairments:
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses	(63)	(1,255)	(525)
Portion of loss (reclassed from)/recognized in other comprehensive income	(969)	770	(180)
Net Impairment Losses Recognized in Earnings	(1,032)	(485)	(705)
Other Income, net:
Net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value	90,019	62,605	19,575
Net gain on sales of MBS and U.S. Treasury securities	39,577	35,837	34,900
Other, net	29,423	10,600	(3,310)
Other Income, net	159,019	109,042	51,165
Operating and Other Expense:
Compensation and benefits	31,673	29,281	26,293
Other general and administrative expense	17,960	16,331	15,752
Loan servicing and other related operating expenses	22,268	14,372	10,384
Operating and Other Expense	71,901	59,984	52,429
Net Income	322,393	312,668	313,226
Less Preferred Stock Dividends	15,000	15,000	15,000
Net Income Available to Common Stock and Participating Securities	$ 307,393	$ 297,668	$ 298,226
Earnings per Common Share - Basic and Diluted	$ 0.79	$ 0.80	$ 0.80
Agency MBS
Interest Income:
Mortgage backed securities	$ 65,355	$ 83,069	$ 105,835
Non-Agency MBS | Non-Agency MBS
Interest Income:
Mortgage backed securities	271,112	332,821	363,570
CRT securities
Interest Income:
Mortgage backed securities	$ 31,715	$ 14,770	$ 6,572