CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Assets:
Residential mortgage investments ($13.48 and $13.12 billion pledged under repurchase arrangements at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively)	$ 13,908,104	$ 13,475,874
Cash collateral receivable from interest rate swap counterparties	53,139	25,502
Interest rate swap agreements at fair value	1,657	5,005
Cash and cash equivalents	307,526	413,356
Receivables and other assets	118,643	96,231
Total Assets	14,389,069	14,015,968
Liabilities:
Repurchase arrangements and similar borrowings	12,806,843	12,482,900
Interest rate swap agreements at fair value	27,034	11,304
Unsecured borrowings	100,000	100,000
Common stock dividend payable	34,054	30,872
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	30,367	25,109
Total Liabilities	12,998,298	12,650,185
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock - $0.01 par value; 250,000 shares authorized: 95,848 and 95,807 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	958	958
Paid-in capital	1,325,340	1,329,792
Accumulated deficit	(346,885)	(349,866)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	227,422	219,143
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent	1,390,771	1,365,783
Total Liabilities and Equity	14,389,069	14,015,968
Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member] | Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series E [Member]
Stockholders' equity:
Cumulative Preferred Stock	$ 183,936	$ 165,756