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

Common Stock Capitalization [Line Items]

No definition available.

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

Dividend declared and paid for the period.

No definition available.

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

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

No definition available.

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

Cash outflow in the form of capital distributions and dividends to common shareholders, preferred shareholders and noncontrolling interests.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Financing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3291-108585

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

The number of shares authorized to be repurchased by an entity's Board of Directors under a stock repurchase plan.

No definition available.

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

Number of shares that have been repurchased and retired during the period.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21463-112644

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Article 3

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 29, 30
-Article 5

Name:	us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Equity impact of the value of stock that has been repurchased and retired during the period. The excess of the purchase price over par value can be charged against retained earnings (once the excess is fully allocated to additional paid in capital).