Consolidated Statement Of Changes In Shareholders' Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Consolidated Statement Of Changes In Shareholders' Equity [Abstract]
Dividends per common share and LTIP unit outstanding	$ 0.4	$ 1.31

Dividends declared and paid per common share and LTIP unit outstanding.

No definition available.

Name:	efc_DividendsPerCommonShareAndLtipUnitOutstanding
Namespace Prefix:	efc_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant