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Valuation (Schedule of Financial Instruments) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Sep. 30, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) [1] $ 1,451,420 $ 2,449,941
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value [1] 95,803 71,850
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 27,864 16,788
Repurchase agreements, at fair value 47,041 73,639
Investments sold short, at fair value- (51,493) (73,409)
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (34,814) (27,621)
Other secured borrowings, at fair value [1] (695,516) (594,396)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value 95,803 71,850
Total assets 3,017,699 3,951,005
Other secured borrowings, at fair value (695,516) (594,396)
Total liabilities (781,823) (695,426)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Investments Sold Short | Corporate debt securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value- (461) (471)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Investments Sold Short | Government debt    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value- (51,032) (72,938)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (3,572) (14,524)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (580) (1,693)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (142) (250)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Interest rate swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (29,774) (8,719)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | TBA securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (286) (1,012)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Futures    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (331) (45)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Forwards    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (41) (169)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Total return swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (88) (1,209)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 919,855 1,936,963
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | Non-Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 212,737 166,550
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | CMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 105,015 124,868
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | CLOs    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 163,294 170,443
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 47,298 48,610
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | Corporate debt securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 2,207 1,113
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | Corporate equity securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 1,014 1,394
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Loans | Residential mortgage loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 1,030,709 932,203
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Loans | Commercial mortgage loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 252,231 274,759
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Loans | Consumer loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 152,609 186,954
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Loans | Corporate loan [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 7,063 18,510
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 351 993
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 2,419 5,599
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-   2
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 9,722 3,319
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Interest rate swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 13,790 5,468
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | TBA securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 1,150 596
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Futures    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 1 148
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Forwards    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 256 43
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Total return swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 105 620
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Warrants    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 31  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value 0 0
Total assets 1 148
Other secured borrowings, at fair value 0 0
Total liabilities (331) (45)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Investments Sold Short | Corporate debt securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Investments Sold Short | Government debt    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Interest rate swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | TBA securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Futures    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (331) (45)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Forwards    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Total return swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | Non-Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | CMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | CLOs    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | Corporate debt securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | Corporate equity securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Loans | Residential mortgage loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Loans | Commercial mortgage loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Loans | Consumer loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Loans | Corporate loan [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-   0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Interest rate swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | TBA securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Futures    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 1 148
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Forwards    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Total return swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Warrants    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value 0 0
Total assets 1,121,170 2,229,582
Other secured borrowings, at fair value 0 0
Total liabilities (85,888) (100,549)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Investments Sold Short | Corporate debt securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value- (461) (471)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Investments Sold Short | Government debt    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value- (51,032) (72,938)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (3,572) (14,524)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (580) (1,693)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (142) (250)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Interest rate swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (29,774) (8,719)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | TBA securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (286) (1,012)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Futures    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Forwards    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (41) (169)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Total return swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 (773)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 907,715 1,917,059
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | Non-Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 73,538 76,969
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | CMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 62,206 95,063
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | CLOs    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 50,304 125,464
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | Corporate debt securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | Corporate equity securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Loans | Residential mortgage loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Loans | Commercial mortgage loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Loans | Consumer loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Loans | Corporate loan [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 2,419 5,599
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-   2
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 9,722 3,319
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Interest rate swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 13,790 5,468
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | TBA securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 1,150 596
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Futures    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Forwards    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 256 43
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Total return swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Warrants    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 31  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value 95,803 71,850
Total assets 1,896,528 1,721,275
Other secured borrowings, at fair value (695,516) (594,396)
Total liabilities (695,604) (594,832)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Investments Sold Short | Corporate debt securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Investments Sold Short | Government debt    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Interest rate swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | TBA securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Futures    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Forwards    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Total return swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (88) (436)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 12,140 19,904
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | Non-Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 139,199 89,581
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | CMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 42,809 29,805
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | CLOs    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 112,990 44,979
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 47,298 48,610
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | Corporate debt securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 2,207 1,113
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | Corporate equity securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1) 1,014 1,394
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Loans | Residential mortgage loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 1,030,709 932,203
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Loans | Commercial mortgage loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 252,231 274,759
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Loans | Consumer loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 152,609 186,954
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Loans | Corporate loan [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 7,063 18,510
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 351 993
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-   0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Interest rate swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | TBA securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Futures    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Forwards    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Total return swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 105 $ 620
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Warrants    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- $ 0  
[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.