Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Residential mortgage investments	$ 13,380,000	$ 11,930,000
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	250,000	250,000
Common stock, shares issued	97,456	97,456
Common stock, shares outstanding	88,287	88,287
$1.60 Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A [Member]
Preferred stock, dividend rate	$ 1.6	$ 1.6
Preferred stock, shares issued	186	186
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	186	186
Preferred stock, aggregate liquidation preference	3,054	3,056
Preferred Stock
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.1	$ 0.1
Preferred stock, shares authorized	100,000	100,000
$1.26 Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, Series B [Member]
Preferred stock, dividend rate	$ 1.26	$ 1.26
Preferred stock, shares issued	16,493	16,493
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	16,184	16,184
Preferred stock, aggregate liquidation preference	$ 187,692	$ 184,175