Consolidated VIEs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Jun. 30, 2019		Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 42,671	[1]		$ 44,656
Restricted cash		175	[1]		425
Loans, at fair value	[1]	1,091,523
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	[1]	69,676
Real estate owned	[1]	47,621
Due from brokers		65,083	[1]		71,794
Investment related receivables	[1]	77,882
Other assets		3,495	[1]		15,536
Total Assets		3,127,594			3,971,499
Liabilities
Repurchase agreements		1,715,506	[1]		1,498,849
Investment related payables		49,516	[1]		488,411
Other secured borrowings		101,925	[1]		114,100
Other secured borrowings, at fair value		475,816	[1]		297,948
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		6,281	[1]		5,723
Interest payable	[1]	6,741
Other liabilities		262	[1]		424
Total Liabilities		2,534,480			3,376,329
Total Stockholders' Equity		562,470			563,833
Non-controlling interests		30,644	[1]		31,337
Total Equity		593,114		$ 592,434	595,170	$ 613,275	$ 609,950	$ 620,961
Total Liabilities and Equity		3,127,594			$ 3,971,499
Primary Beneficiary
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents		5,214
Restricted cash		175
Loans, at fair value		1,078,023
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		6,413
Real estate owned		47,621
Due from brokers		190
Investment related receivables		26,928
Other assets		2,027
Total Assets		1,166,591
Liabilities
Repurchase agreements		270,817
Investment related payables		271
Other secured borrowings		101,925
Other secured borrowings, at fair value		475,816
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		1,378
Interest payable		1,391
Other liabilities		262
Total Liabilities		851,860
Total Stockholders' Equity		298,080
Non-controlling interests		16,651
Total Equity		314,731
Total Liabilities and Equity		$ 1,166,591

[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.