XML 41 R43.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Valuation (Schedule Of Financial Instruments) (Details) (USD $)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- $ 80,029,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets [1] $ 59,664,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets [1]
Fair value repurchase agreements 172,001,000us-gaap_SecuritiesForReverseRepurchaseAgreements [1] 27,962,000us-gaap_SecuritiesForReverseRepurchaseAgreements [1]
Investments sold short, at fair value- (1,291,370,000)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue (845,614,000)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (66,116,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities [1] (44,791,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities [1]
Securitized Debt [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Security Owned and Pledged as Collateral, Fair Value 2,200,000us-gaap_SecurityOwnedAndPledgedAsCollateralFairValue
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= efc_SecuritizedDebtMember
2,300,000us-gaap_SecurityOwnedAndPledgedAsCollateralFairValue
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= efc_SecuritizedDebtMember
Level 1 [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Cash and cash equivalents 114,140,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
183,489,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
Total investments and financial derivatives–assets, at fair value and repurchase agreements 261,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
Total investments sold short, financial derivatives–liabilities, and securitized debt, at fair value (26,597,000)us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
(8,742,000)us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
Level 1 [Member] | Investments Sold Short [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value- (26,516,000)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember
(6,369,000)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember
Level 1 [Member] | Investments Sold Short [Member] | Agency residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value- 0us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
0us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
Level 1 [Member] | Investments Sold Short [Member] | Government debt sold short [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value- 0us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= efc_GovernmentdebtsoldshortMember
0us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= efc_GovernmentdebtsoldshortMember
Level 1 [Member] | Investments Sold Short [Member] | Common Stock Sold Short [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value- (26,516,000)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= efc_CommonStockSoldShortbyindustryMember
(6,369,000)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= efc_CommonStockSoldShortbyindustryMember
Level 1 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (81,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
(2,373,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
Level 1 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Asset Backed Indices [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
0us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
Level 1 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Asset Backed Securities [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
0us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
Level 1 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Corporate Bond Indices [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnCorporateBondIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
0us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnCorporateBondIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
Level 1 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Corporate Bonds [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnCorporateBondsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
 
Level 1 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
0us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
Level 1 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Total Return Swaps [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_TotalReturnSwapMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
0us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_TotalReturnSwapMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
Level 1 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Swaption [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_SwaptionMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
 
Level 1 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Options [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_PutOptionMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
0us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_PutOptionMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
Level 1 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Futures [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (81,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_FutureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
(2,373,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_FutureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
Level 1 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Forwards [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
0us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
Level 1 [Member] | Securitized Debt [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securitized debt(1) 0efc_SecuritizedDebtFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= efc_SecuritizedDebtMember
[2] 0efc_SecuritizedDebtFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= efc_SecuritizedDebtMember
[3]
Level 1 [Member] | Investments [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value- 0us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
0us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
Level 1 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Agency residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value- 0us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
0us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
Level 1 [Member] | Investments [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value- 0us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember
 
Level 1 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Private Label Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value- 0us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
0us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
Level 1 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Private Label Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value- 0us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
0us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
Level 1 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Loans [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value- 0us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= efc_CommercialMortgageLoansMember
0us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= efc_CommercialMortgageLoansMember
Level 1 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Residential Mortgage Loans [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value- 0us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageMember
0us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageMember
Level 1 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Other Asset-backed Securities [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   0us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember
Level 1 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Other asset-backed securities and loans [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value- 0us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= efc_AssetbackedsecuritiesandloansMember
 
Level 1 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Corporate Debt [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value- 0us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= efc_CorporateDebtMember
 
Level 1 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Real Estate Owned [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value- 0us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_WhollyOwnedPropertiesMember
 
Level 1 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Private Corporate Investments [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value- 0us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
 
Level 1 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 261,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
0us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
Level 1 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Asset Backed Indices [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
0us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
Level 1 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Asset Backed Securities [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
0us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
Level 1 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Corporate Bond Indices [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnCorporateBondIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
0us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnCorporateBondIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
Level 1 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
0us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
Level 1 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Total Return Swaps [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_TotalReturnSwapMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
0us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_TotalReturnSwapMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
Level 1 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Swaption [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_SwaptionMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
 
Level 1 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Options [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_PutOptionMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
0us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_PutOptionMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
Level 1 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Futures [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 261,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_FutureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
 
Level 1 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Forwards [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
 
Level 1 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Warrant [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_WarrantMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
 
Level 1 [Member] | Repurchase Agreements [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Fair value repurchase agreements 0us-gaap_SecuritiesForReverseRepurchaseAgreements
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
0us-gaap_SecuritiesForReverseRepurchaseAgreements
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
Level 2 [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Cash and cash equivalents 0us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
0us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Total investments and financial derivatives–assets, at fair value and repurchase agreements 1,785,365,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
1,060,822,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Total investments sold short, financial derivatives–liabilities, and securitized debt, at fair value (1,330,650,000)us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
(881,313,000)us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Level 2 [Member] | Investments Sold Short [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value- (1,264,854,000)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember
(839,245,000)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember
Level 2 [Member] | Investments Sold Short [Member] | Agency residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value- (1,209,539,000)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
(811,957,000)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
Level 2 [Member] | Investments Sold Short [Member] | Government debt sold short [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value- (55,315,000)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= efc_GovernmentdebtsoldshortMember
(27,288,000)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= efc_GovernmentdebtsoldshortMember
Level 2 [Member] | Investments Sold Short [Member] | Common Stock Sold Short [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value- 0us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= efc_CommonStockSoldShortbyindustryMember
0us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= efc_CommonStockSoldShortbyindustryMember
Level 2 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (65,796,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
(42,068,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
Level 2 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Asset Backed Indices [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (4,410,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
(11,866,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
Level 2 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Asset Backed Securities [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
0us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
Level 2 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Corporate Bond Indices [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (28,588,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnCorporateBondIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
(24,949,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnCorporateBondIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
Level 2 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Corporate Bonds [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (2,953,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnCorporateBondsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
 
Level 2 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (29,405,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
(5,064,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
Level 2 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Total Return Swaps [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (21,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_TotalReturnSwapMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
(67,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_TotalReturnSwapMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
Level 2 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Swaption [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (137,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_SwaptionMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
 
Level 2 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Options [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (146,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_PutOptionMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
(84,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_PutOptionMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
Level 2 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Futures [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_FutureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
0us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_FutureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
Level 2 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Forwards [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (136,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
(38,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
Level 2 [Member] | Securitized Debt [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securitized debt(1) 0efc_SecuritizedDebtFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= efc_SecuritizedDebtMember
[2] 0efc_SecuritizedDebtFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= efc_SecuritizedDebtMember
[3]
Level 2 [Member] | Investments [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value- 1,545,083,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
989,842,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Level 2 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Agency residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value- 1,258,699,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
989,842,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
Level 2 [Member] | Investments [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value- 1,636,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember
 
Level 2 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Private Label Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value- 284,748,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
0us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
Level 2 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Private Label Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value- 0us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
0us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
Level 2 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Loans [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value- 0us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= efc_CommercialMortgageLoansMember
0us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= efc_CommercialMortgageLoansMember
Level 2 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Residential Mortgage Loans [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value- 0us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageMember
0us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageMember
Level 2 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Other Asset-backed Securities [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   0us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember
Level 2 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Other asset-backed securities and loans [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value- 0us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= efc_AssetbackedsecuritiesandloansMember
 
Level 2 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Corporate Debt [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value- 0us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= efc_CorporateDebtMember
 
Level 2 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Real Estate Owned [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value- 0us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_WhollyOwnedPropertiesMember
 
Level 2 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Private Corporate Investments [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value- 0us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
 
Level 2 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 68,281,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
43,018,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Level 2 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Asset Backed Indices [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 1,881,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
4,937,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Level 2 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Asset Backed Securities [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
0us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Level 2 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Corporate Bond Indices [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 35,865,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnCorporateBondIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
14,273,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnCorporateBondIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Level 2 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 28,654,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
23,553,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Level 2 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Total Return Swaps [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 8,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_TotalReturnSwapMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
4,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_TotalReturnSwapMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Level 2 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Swaption [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 344,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_SwaptionMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
 
Level 2 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Options [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 645,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_PutOptionMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
251,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_PutOptionMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Level 2 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Futures [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_FutureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
 
Level 2 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Forwards [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 884,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
 
Level 2 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Warrant [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_WarrantMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
 
Level 2 [Member] | Repurchase Agreements [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Fair value repurchase agreements 172,001,000us-gaap_SecuritiesForReverseRepurchaseAgreements
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
27,962,000us-gaap_SecuritiesForReverseRepurchaseAgreements
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Level 3 [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Cash and cash equivalents 0us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
0us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Total investments and financial derivatives–assets, at fair value and repurchase agreements 638,486,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
756,934,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Total investments sold short, financial derivatives–liabilities, and securitized debt, at fair value (1,013,000)us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
(1,333,000)us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Level 3 [Member] | Investments Sold Short [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value- 0us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember
0us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember
Level 3 [Member] | Investments Sold Short [Member] | Agency residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value- 0us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
0us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
Level 3 [Member] | Investments Sold Short [Member] | Government debt sold short [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value- 0us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= efc_GovernmentdebtsoldshortMember
0us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= efc_GovernmentdebtsoldshortMember
Level 3 [Member] | Investments Sold Short [Member] | Common Stock Sold Short [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value- 0us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= efc_CommonStockSoldShortbyindustryMember
0us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= efc_CommonStockSoldShortbyindustryMember
Level 3 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (239,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
(350,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
Level 3 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Asset Backed Indices [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
0us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
Level 3 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Asset Backed Securities [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (239,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
(350,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
Level 3 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Corporate Bond Indices [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnCorporateBondIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
0us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnCorporateBondIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
Level 3 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Corporate Bonds [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnCorporateBondsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
 
Level 3 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
0us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
Level 3 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Total Return Swaps [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_TotalReturnSwapMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
0us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_TotalReturnSwapMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
Level 3 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Swaption [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_SwaptionMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
 
Level 3 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Options [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_PutOptionMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
0us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_PutOptionMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
Level 3 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Futures [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_FutureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
0us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_FutureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
Level 3 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Forwards [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
0us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
Level 3 [Member] | Securitized Debt [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securitized debt(1) (774,000)efc_SecuritizedDebtFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= efc_SecuritizedDebtMember
[2] (983,000)efc_SecuritizedDebtFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= efc_SecuritizedDebtMember
[3]
Level 3 [Member] | Investments [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value- 626,999,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
740,288,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Level 3 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Agency residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value- 31,385,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
40,504,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
Level 3 [Member] | Investments [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value- 0us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember
 
Level 3 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Private Label Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value- 274,369,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
580,772,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
Level 3 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Private Label Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value- 53,311,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
32,994,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
Level 3 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Loans [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value- 28,309,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= efc_CommercialMortgageLoansMember
23,887,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= efc_CommercialMortgageLoansMember
Level 3 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Residential Mortgage Loans [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value- 27,482,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageMember
24,062,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageMember
Level 3 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Other Asset-backed Securities [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   38,069,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember
Level 3 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Other asset-backed securities and loans [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value- 146,288,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= efc_AssetbackedsecuritiesandloansMember
 
Level 3 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Corporate Debt [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value- 42,708,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= efc_CorporateDebtMember
 
Level 3 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Real Estate Owned [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value- 8,635,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_WhollyOwnedPropertiesMember
 
Level 3 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Private Corporate Investments [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value- 14,512,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
 
Level 3 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 11,487,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
16,646,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Level 3 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Asset Backed Indices [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
0us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Level 3 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Asset Backed Securities [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 11,387,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
16,646,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Level 3 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Corporate Bond Indices [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnCorporateBondIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
0us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnCorporateBondIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Level 3 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
0us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Level 3 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Total Return Swaps [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_TotalReturnSwapMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
0us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_TotalReturnSwapMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Level 3 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Swaption [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_SwaptionMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
 
Level 3 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Options [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_PutOptionMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
0us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_PutOptionMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Level 3 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Futures [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_FutureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
 
Level 3 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Forwards [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
 
Level 3 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Warrant [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 100,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_WarrantMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
 
Level 3 [Member] | Repurchase Agreements [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Fair value repurchase agreements 0us-gaap_SecuritiesForReverseRepurchaseAgreements
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
0us-gaap_SecuritiesForReverseRepurchaseAgreements
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Cash and cash equivalents 114,140,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
183,489,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
Total investments and financial derivatives–assets, at fair value and repurchase agreements 2,424,112,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
1,817,756,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
Total investments sold short, financial derivatives–liabilities, and securitized debt, at fair value (1,358,260,000)us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
(891,388,000)us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Investments Sold Short [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value- (1,291,370,000)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember
(845,614,000)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Investments Sold Short [Member] | Agency residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value- (1,209,539,000)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
(811,957,000)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Investments Sold Short [Member] | Government debt sold short [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value- (55,315,000)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= efc_GovernmentdebtsoldshortMember
(27,288,000)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= efc_GovernmentdebtsoldshortMember
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Investments Sold Short [Member] | Common Stock Sold Short [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value- (26,516,000)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= efc_CommonStockSoldShortbyindustryMember
(6,369,000)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= efc_CommonStockSoldShortbyindustryMember
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (66,116,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
(44,791,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Asset Backed Indices [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (4,410,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
(11,866,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Asset Backed Securities [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (239,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
(350,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Corporate Bond Indices [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (28,588,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnCorporateBondIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
(24,949,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnCorporateBondIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Corporate Bonds [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (2,953,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnCorporateBondsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
 
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (29,405,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
(5,064,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Total Return Swaps [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (21,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_TotalReturnSwapMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
(67,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_TotalReturnSwapMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Swaption [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (137,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_SwaptionMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
 
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Options [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (146,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_PutOptionMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
(84,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_PutOptionMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Futures [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (81,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_FutureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
(2,373,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_FutureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Forwards [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (136,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
(38,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Securitized Debt [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securitized debt(1) (774,000)efc_SecuritizedDebtFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= efc_SecuritizedDebtMember
[2] (983,000)efc_SecuritizedDebtFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= efc_SecuritizedDebtMember
[3]
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Investments [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value- 2,172,082,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
1,730,130,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Investments [Member] | Agency residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value- 1,290,084,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
1,030,346,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Investments [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value- 1,636,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember
 
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Investments [Member] | Private Label Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value- 559,117,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
580,772,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Investments [Member] | Private Label Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value- 53,311,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
32,994,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Investments [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Loans [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value- 28,309,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= efc_CommercialMortgageLoansMember
23,887,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= efc_CommercialMortgageLoansMember
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Investments [Member] | Residential Mortgage Loans [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value- 27,482,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageMember
24,062,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageMember
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Investments [Member] | Other Asset-backed Securities [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   38,069,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Investments [Member] | Other asset-backed securities and loans [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value- 146,288,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= efc_AssetbackedsecuritiesandloansMember
 
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Investments [Member] | Corporate Debt [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value- 42,708,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= efc_CorporateDebtMember
 
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Investments [Member] | Real Estate Owned [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value- 8,635,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_WhollyOwnedPropertiesMember
 
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Investments [Member] | Private Corporate Investments [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value- 14,512,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
 
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 80,029,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
59,664,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Asset Backed Indices [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 1,881,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
4,937,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Asset Backed Securities [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 11,387,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
16,646,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Corporate Bond Indices [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 35,865,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnCorporateBondIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
14,273,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnCorporateBondIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 28,654,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
23,553,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Total Return Swaps [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 8,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_TotalReturnSwapMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
4,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_TotalReturnSwapMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Swaption [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 344,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_SwaptionMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
 
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Options [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 645,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_PutOptionMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
251,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_PutOptionMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Futures [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 261,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_FutureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
 
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Forwards [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 884,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
 
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Warrant [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 100,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_WarrantMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
 
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Repurchase Agreements [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Fair value repurchase agreements 172,001,000us-gaap_SecuritiesForReverseRepurchaseAgreements
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
27,962,000us-gaap_SecuritiesForReverseRepurchaseAgreements
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Fair Value, Level 1 To Level 2 To Level 3 Transfers Amount   0efc_FairValueLevel1ToLevel2ToLevel3TransfersAmount
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
Fair Value, Transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 $ 0efc_FairValueTransfersbetweenLevel1andLevel2
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
 
[1] In the Company's Consolidated Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Equity, all balances associated with repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, and financial derivatives are presented on a gross basis.
[2] The asset subject to the resecuritization had a fair value of $2.2 million as of December 31, 2014, which is included on the Consolidated Schedule of Investments under Principal and Interest – Private Label Securities.
[3] The asset subject to the resecuritization had a fair value of $2.3 million as of December 31, 2013, which is included on the Consolidated Schedule of Investments under Principal and Interest – Private Label Securities.