Investment in Loans (Schedule of Residential Mortgage Loans) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Residential mortgage loans, held-for-investment
Unpaid Principal Balance	$ 1,026,983
Financing Receivable, Including Held-For-Sale [Abstract]
Fair Value	1,014,990	[1]
Non-qualified mortgage loans that have been securitized and are held in consolidated securitization trusts	296,400
Residential mortgage loans
Residential mortgage loans, held-for-investment
Unpaid Principal Balance, Residential mortgage loans, held-for-investment	555,386
Unpaid Principal Balance	577,880
Premium (Discount)	4,470
Amortized Cost	559,856
Gains	4,368
Losses	(1,461)
Fair Value	$ 562,763
Coupon	6.49%
Yield	5.68%
Life (Years)	1 year 347 days
Residential mortgage loans, held-for-sale
Unpaid Principal Balance	$ 22,494
Premium (Discount)	(3,344)
Amortized Cost	19,150
Gains	1,520
Losses	(181)
Fair Value	$ 20,489
Coupon	4.66%
Yield	6.37%
Life (Years)	5 years 175 days
Financing Receivable, Including Held-For-Sale [Abstract]
Unpaid Principal Balance	$ 577,880
Premium (Discount)	1,126
Amortized Cost	579,006
Gains	5,888
Losses	(1,642)
Fair Value	$ 583,252
Coupon	6.42%
Yield	5.70%
Life (Years)	2 years 26 days
Residential mortgage loans | Re-performing
Residential mortgage loans, held-for-investment
Unpaid Principal Balance	$ 35,616
Fair Value	31,816
Residential mortgage loans | Non-performing
Residential mortgage loans, held-for-investment
Unpaid Principal Balance	15,795
Fair Value	$ 13,678

[1] Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.