Investment in Loans Investment in Loans (Schedule of Residential Mortgage Loans: Performance) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		$ 1,417,054	$ 1,387,733
Loans, at fair value	[1],[2]	1,453,480	1,412,426
Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		1,150,303	911,705
Loans, at fair value		1,187,069	932,203
Residential mortgage loans | Performing Financial Instruments [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		18,120	27,663
Loans, at fair value		16,741	25,323
Residential mortgage loans | Non-performing
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		62,009	17,757
Loans, at fair value		$ 58,169	$ 15,580

[1] Ellington Financial Inc.'s 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.

[2] Includes assets pledged as collateral to counterparties. See Note 11 for additional details on the Company's borrowings and related collateral.