Name:	efc_CommonStockCapitalizationLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	efc_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Number of shares repurchased under the Company's share repurchase program.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	efc_SharesRepurchasedUnderShareRepurchaseProgram
Namespace Prefix:	efc_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Equity impact of the value of stock that has been repurchased during the period and retired.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	efc_SharesRepurchasedValue
Namespace Prefix:	efc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Average price paid per share repurchased under the Company's share repurchase program.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Issuance value per share of no-par value common stock; generally not indicative of the fair market value per share.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 30

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 129

-Paragraph 4

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.29)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CommonStockNoParValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Total number of common shares of an entity that have been sold or granted to shareholders (includes common shares that were issued, repurchased and remain in the treasury). These shares represent capital invested by the firm's shareholders and owners, and may be all or only a portion of the number of shares authorized. Shares issued include shares outstanding and shares held in the treasury.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 30

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.29)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount authorized by an entity's Board of Directors under a stock repurchase plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Common Share Capitalization (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	11 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Aug. 17, 2007 Non-Manager [Member]	Oct. 14, 2010 IPO [Member]	Aug. 17, 2007 Manager [Member]
Common Stock Capitalization [Line Items]
Common stock, shares issued	16,447,651	16,447,651	12,500,000	4,500,000	50
Common stock, par value				$ 22.50
Aggregate cost of shares repurchase	$ 10
Shares repurchased under share repurchase program	60,980
Aggregate cost of shares repurchased	$ 1.1
Average price per share repurchased	$ 17.22