Other Assets - Schedule of Other Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Receivables and claims related to reverse mortgage loans repurchased from HMBS		$ 65,029		$ 54,357
Prepaid expenses and deferred offering costs		9,987		7,541
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)		2,798	$ 2,924	3,275
Prepaid scheduled draws on reverse mortgage loans		2,304		2,105
Accrued Fees and Other Revenue Receivable		7,149		2,418
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset		3,329		3,838
Servicing Asset		2,295		999
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net		1,422		1,406
Servicing Agreement Asset		2,300		1,000
Certificates of deposit, security deposits, and escrow cash		1,080		460
Other Assets, Miscellaneous		473		392
Other assets	[1]	95,866		76,791
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)		3,500		3,500
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)		3,500		3,500
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		(702)		(225)
Software and Software Development Costs
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)		933		1,284
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)		1,400		1,400
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)		1,400		1,400
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		$ (467)		$ (116)
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		36 months		36 months
Trademarks and Trade Names
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)		$ 1,200		$ 1,200
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)		1,200		1,200
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)		1,200		1,200
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		0		0
Customer Relationships
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)		665		691
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)		700		700
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)		700		700
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		$ (35)		$ (9)
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		240 months		240 months
Noncompete Agreements
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)		$ 0		$ 100
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)		200		200
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)		200		200
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		$ (200)		$ (100)
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		6 months		6 months

[1] Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets include assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 11 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.