CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2013 Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Convertible Preferred Stock [Member] Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, Series B [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Convertible Preferred Stock [Member] Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, Series B [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member] Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series E [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member] Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series E [Member]
Assets:
Residential mortgage investments($13.12 and $13.45 billion pledged under repurchase arrangements at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively)	$ 13,475,874	[1]	$ 13,860,158	[1]
Cash collateral receivable from interest rate swap counterparties	25,502		49,972
Interest rate swap agreements at fair value	5,005		169
Cash and cash equivalents	413,356		425,445
Receivables and other assets	96,231		130,402
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	0		3,117
Total Assets	14,015,968		14,469,263
Liabilities:
Repurchase arrangements and similar borrowings	12,482,900		12,784,238
Interest rate swap agreements at fair value	11,304		32,868
Unsecured borrowings	100,000		103,095
Common stock dividend payable	30,872		29,512
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	25,109		22,425
Total Liabilities	12,650,185		12,972,138
Stockholders' equity:
Cumulative Preferred Stock					0	2,604	0	186,388	165,756	0
Common stock - $0.01 par value; 250,000 shares authorized: 95,807 and 96,229 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	958		962
Paid-in capital	1,329,792		1,367,199
Accumulated deficit	(349,866)		(353,938)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	219,143		293,910
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent	1,365,783		1,497,125
Total Liabilities and Equity	$ 14,015,968		$ 14,469,263

[1] Includes unrealized gains and losses for residential mortgage investments classified as available-for-sale (see NOTE 9).