Valuation (Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019		Dec. 31, 2018
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 33,251	[1]	$ 44,656
Restricted cash			425
Due from brokers	66,162	[1]	71,794
Repurchase agreements, at fair value	36,473		61,274
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements	2,056,422	[1]	1,498,849
Other secured borrowings	91,151	[1]	114,100
Senior notes, net	85,232		85,035
Due to brokers	5,978		$ 5,553
Fair Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	33,251
Restricted cash	175
Due from brokers	66,162
Repurchase agreements, at fair value	36,473
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements	2,056,422
Other secured borrowings	91,151
Senior notes, net	86,952
Due to brokers	5,978
Carrying Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	33,251
Restricted cash	175
Due from brokers	66,162
Repurchase agreements, at fair value	36,473
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements	2,056,422
Other secured borrowings	91,151
Senior notes, net	85,232
Due to brokers	$ 5,978

[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.