Consolidated Statement Of Changes In Shareholders' Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Consolidated Statement Of Changes In Shareholders' Equity [Abstract]
Dividends per common share and LTIP unit outstanding	$ 0.70	$ 0.40	$ 1.10	$ 1.71

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

No definition available.

Name:	efc_DividendsPerCommonShareAndLtipUnitOutstanding
Namespace Prefix:	efc_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration