CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014 Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member] Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series E [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member] Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series E [Member]
Assets
Residential mortgage investments ($13.40 and $13.12 billion pledged under repurchase arrangements at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively)	$ 13,722,281	$ 13,475,874
Cash collateral receivable from interest rate swap counterparties	42,716	25,502
Interest rate swap agreements at fair value	2,397	5,005
Cash and cash equivalents	438,622	413,356
Receivables and other assets	117,436	96,231
Total Assets	14,323,452	14,015,968
Liabilities
Repurchase arrangements and similar borrowings	12,749,762	12,482,900
Interest rate swap agreements at fair value	18,276	11,304
Unsecured borrowings	100,000	100,000
Common stock dividend payable	34,040	30,872
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	25,621	25,109
Total Liabilities	12,927,699	12,650,185
Stockholders' equity
Cumulative Preferred Stock			182,102	165,756
Common stock - $0.01 par value; 250,000 shares authorized: 95,811 and 95,807 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	958	958
Paid-in capital	1,327,595	1,329,792
Accumulated deficit	(346,885)	(349,866)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	231,983	219,143
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent	1,395,753	1,365,783
Total Liabilities and Equity	$ 14,323,452	$ 14,015,968