Valuation (Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2019		Dec. 31, 2018
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 42,671	[1]	$ 44,656
Restricted cash			425
Due from brokers	65,083	[1]	71,794
Repurchase agreements, at fair value	49,641		61,274
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements	1,715,506	[1]	1,498,849
Other secured borrowings	101,925	[1]	114,100
Senior notes, net	85,166		85,035
Due to brokers	9,951		$ 5,553
Fair Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	42,671
Restricted cash	175
Due from brokers	65,083
Repurchase agreements, at fair value	49,641
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements	1,715,506
Other secured borrowings	101,925
Senior notes, net	85,166
Due to brokers	9,951
Carrying Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	42,671
Restricted cash	175
Due from brokers	65,083
Repurchase agreements, at fair value	49,641
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements	1,715,506
Other secured borrowings	101,925
Senior notes, net	85,166
Due to brokers	$ 9,951

[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.