Valuation (Schedule of Financial Instruments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 14, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)	[1],[2]	$ 1,518,377		$ 1,459,465
Forward MSR-related investments, at fair value		163,336	$ 177,421	0
Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value(1)	[1]	116,414		127,046
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		143,996		132,518
Investments sold short, at fair value-		(154,303)		(209,203)
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		(61,776)		(54,198)
Other secured borrowings, at fair value	[1]	(1,424,668)		(1,539,881)
Unsecured borrowings, at fair value		272,765		191,835
Mortgage servicing rights, at fair value		29,580		8,108
Loan commitments, at fair value		2,584		3,060
HMBS-related obligations, at fair value		(8,423,235)		(7,787,155)
Level 3 | Non-Agency RMBS
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets		155,240
Level 3 | CMBS
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets		14,143
Level 3 | CLOs
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets		20,439
Level 3 | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets		81,922
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets		14,282,250		13,357,204
Total liabilities		(10,336,747)		(9,782,272)
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-		(154,303)		(209,203)
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-		(32)		(33)
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-		(225)		(259)
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-		(15,894)		(1,513)
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-		(31,745)		(50,290)
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-		(5,820)		(2,007)
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-		(7,990)		(96)
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-		(70)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Other secured borrowings, at fair value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other secured borrowings, at fair value		(1,424,668)		(1,539,881)
HMBS-related obligations, at fair value		(8,423,235)		(7,787,155)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Unsecured Borrowings
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Unsecured borrowings, at fair value		272,765		191,835
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)(2)		853,224		968,263
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)(2)		305,589		262,178
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | CMBS
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		45,432		18,253
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | CLOs
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		37,978		31,061
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)(2)		74,226		73,644
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | Other asset-backed securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		7,696
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)		8,041		7,533
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)(2)		21,128		11,111
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | U.S. Treasury securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		165,063		87,422
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		3,093,912		3,115,518
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		266,595		404,324
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Loans | Consumer loans
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		1,759		4,843
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		5,819		4,086
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Loans | Reverse mortgage loans
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		8,938,551		8,097,237
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Forward MSR-related Investments
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Forward MSR-related investments, at fair value		163,336
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Mortgage servicing rights
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Mortgage servicing rights, at fair value		29,580		8,108
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Servicing-related asset
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Servicing related asset		1,327		999
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Loan commitments
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loan commitments, at fair value		2,584		3,060
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Investment in unconsolidated entities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value(1)		116,414		127,046
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-		8		76
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-		3,318		3,366
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-		25
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-		7,259		83
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-		129,239		117,022
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-		2,182		7,985
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-		245		2,772
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-		12		77
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-		6
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-		1,702		1,137
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets		9,079		2,772
Total liabilities		(7,990)		(96)
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 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 | 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 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 | 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-		(7,990)		(96)
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
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Other secured borrowings, at fair value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other secured borrowings, at fair value		0		0
HMBS-related obligations, at fair value		0		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Unsecured Borrowings
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Unsecured borrowings, 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)(2)		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)(2)		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)(2)		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)(2)		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)(2)		0		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | Other asset-backed securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		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)(2)		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)(2)		8,834		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | U.S. Treasury securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		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 | Loans | Reverse 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 | Forward MSR-related Investments
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Forward MSR-related investments, at fair value		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Mortgage servicing rights
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Mortgage servicing rights, at fair value		0		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Servicing-related asset
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Servicing related asset		0		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Loan commitments
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loan commitments, at fair value		0		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Investment in unconsolidated entities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value(1)		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 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 | 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 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 | 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-		245		2,772
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
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		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets		1,355,689		1,320,071
Total liabilities		(208,089)		(263,305)
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-		(154,303)		(209,203)
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-		(32)		(33)
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-		(225)		(259)
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-		(15,894)		(1,513)
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-		(31,745)		(50,290)
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-		(5,820)		(2,007)
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-		(70)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Other secured borrowings, at fair value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other secured borrowings, at fair value		0		0
HMBS-related obligations, at fair value		0		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Unsecured Borrowings
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Unsecured borrowings, at fair value		0		0
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)(2)		847,712		961,236
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)(2)		150,349		129,676
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)(2)		31,289		5,604
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)(2)		17,539		6,463
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)(2)		0		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | Other asset-backed securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		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)(2)		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)(2)		0		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | U.S. Treasury securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		165,063		87,422
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 | Loans | Reverse 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 | Forward MSR-related Investments
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Forward MSR-related investments, at fair value		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Mortgage servicing rights
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Mortgage servicing rights, at fair value		0		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Servicing-related asset
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Servicing related asset		0		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Loan commitments
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loan commitments, at fair value		0		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Investment in unconsolidated entities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value(1)		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 asset-backed indices
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		3,318		3,366
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-		25
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-		7,259		83
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-		129,239		117,022
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-		2,182		7,985
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-		12		77
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
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-		1,702		1,137
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets		12,917,482		12,034,361
Total liabilities		(10,120,668)		(9,518,871)
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 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 | 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 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 | 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
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Other secured borrowings, at fair value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other secured borrowings, at fair value		(1,424,668)		(1,539,881)
HMBS-related obligations, at fair value		(8,423,235)		(7,787,155)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Unsecured Borrowings
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Unsecured borrowings, at fair value		272,765		191,835
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)(2)		5,512		7,027
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)(2)		155,240		132,502
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)(2)		14,143		12,649
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)(2)		20,439		24,598
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)(2)		74,226		73,644
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | Other asset-backed securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		7,696
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)		8,041		7,533
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)(2)		12,294		11,111
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | U.S. Treasury securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		0		0
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		3,093,912		3,115,518
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		266,595		404,324
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		1,759		4,843
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		5,819		4,086
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Loans | Reverse mortgage loans
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		8,938,551		8,097,237
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Forward MSR-related Investments
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Forward MSR-related investments, at fair value		163,336
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Mortgage servicing rights
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Mortgage servicing rights, at fair value		29,580		8,108
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Servicing-related asset
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Servicing related asset		1,327		999
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Loan commitments
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loan commitments, at fair value		2,584		3,060
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Investment in unconsolidated entities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value(1)		116,414		127,046
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-		8		76
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 | 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 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 | 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-		6
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		$ 0

[1] Ellington Financial Inc.'s Consolidated Balance Sheets include assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 12 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.

[2] Includes assets pledged as collateral to counterparties. See Note 14 for additional details on the Company's borrowings and related collateral.