Common Share Capitalization (Summary Of Common Shares Outstanding) (Details)	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common Shares Outstanding, period begin	20,370,469	16,447,651
Shares issued in connection with incentive fee payment	33,254	0
Common Shares Outstanding, period end	20,403,723	16,447,651

Total number of shares of common stock held by shareholders. May be all or portion of the number of common shares authorized. These shares represent the ownership interest of the common shareholders. Shares outstanding equals shares issued minus shares held in treasury or retired after repurchase.

No definition available.

Name:	efc_CommonSharesOutstanding
Namespace Prefix:	efc_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant