v3.26.1
Valuation (Schedule of Financial Instruments) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2026
Mar. 31, 2025
Dec. 31, 2025
Dec. 31, 2024
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) [1],[2] $ 1,136,825   $ 1,034,882  
Forward MSR-related investments, at fair value(1) 72,824 [1] $ 87,203 77,852 [1] $ 77,848
Mortgage servicing rights, at fair value 30,192   28,913  
Loan commitments, at fair value 10,207   9,124  
Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value(1) [1] 349,722   312,421  
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value 152,834   142,723  
Investments sold short, at fair value- (297,231)   (272,702)  
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (47,374)   (53,073)  
Other secured borrowings, at fair value [1] (3,125,332)   (2,945,578)  
HMBS-related obligations, at fair value (10,765,668)   (10,406,332)  
Unsecured borrowings, at fair value 638,644   659,832  
Level 3        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3 (18,672) (31,600)    
Assets, Transfers into Level 3 17,401 12,914    
Level 3 | Non-Agency RMBS        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Total assets 310,784      
Level 3 | CMBS        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Total assets 9,786      
Level 3 | CLOs        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Total assets 37,367      
Level 3 | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Total assets 168,559      
Level 3 | Securities | Agency RMBS        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3 0 (492)    
Assets, Transfers into Level 3 549 655    
Level 3 | Securities | Non-Agency RMBS        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3 (15,381) (25,438)    
Assets, Transfers into Level 3 10,946 6,957    
Level 3 | Securities | CMBS        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3 2,524 5,670    
Assets, Transfers into Level 3 0 5,302    
Level 3 | Securities | CLOs        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3 (767) 0    
Assets, Transfers into Level 3 5,906 0    
Level 3 | Securities | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3 0 0    
Assets, Transfers into Level 3 0 0    
Level 3 | Securities | Other asset-backed securities        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3 0 0    
Assets, Transfers into Level 3 0 0    
Level 3 | Securities | Corporate equity securities        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3 0 0    
Assets, Transfers into Level 3 0 0    
Level 3 | Loans | Residential mortgage loans        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3 0 0    
Assets, Transfers into Level 3 0 0    
Level 3 | Loans | Commercial mortgage loans        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3 0 0    
Assets, Transfers into Level 3 0 0    
Level 3 | Loans | Consumer loans        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3 0 0    
Assets, Transfers into Level 3 0 0    
Level 3 | Loans | Corporate loan [Member]        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3 0 0    
Assets, Transfers into Level 3 0 0    
Level 3 | Loans | Reverse mortgage loans        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3 0 0    
Assets, Transfers into Level 3 0 0    
Level 3 | Forward MSR-related Investments        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3 0 0    
Assets, Transfers into Level 3 0 0    
Level 3 | Mortgage servicing rights        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3 0 0    
Assets, Transfers into Level 3 0 0    
Level 3 | Loan commitments        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3 0 0    
Assets, Transfers into Level 3 0 0    
Level 3 | Investment in unconsolidated entities        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3 0 0    
Assets, Transfers into Level 3 0 0    
Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Total return swaps        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3 0      
Assets, Transfers into Level 3 0      
Level 3 | Loan Purchase Commitments        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3   0    
Assets, Transfers into Level 3   $ 0    
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Total assets 19,145,765   18,246,562  
Total liabilities (14,880,692)   (14,337,559)  
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- (297,231)   (272,702)  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (2)   (2)  
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- (134)   (155)  
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- (5,285)   (25,407)  
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- (36,752)   (26,797)  
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- (1,606)   (598)  
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- (527)   (45)  
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- (90)   (69)  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Loan Purchase Commitments        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Loan Purchase Commitments, at Fair Value 6,443   42  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Exchange Traded Options        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (2,978)      
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 (3,125,332)   (2,945,578)  
HMBS-related obligations, at fair value (10,765,668)   (10,406,332)  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Unsecured Borrowings        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Unsecured borrowings, at fair value 638,644   659,832  
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) 212,326   218,367  
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) 486,789   453,552  
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) 28,883   26,550  
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) 109,091   125,040  
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) 53,680   53,087  
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) 114,879   97,773  
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) 20,005   15,530  
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) 11,976   11,991  
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) 99,196   32,992  
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 3,748,165   3,643,094  
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 623,196   640,712  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Loans | Consumer loans        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Loans, at fair value 135   159  
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 31,479   25,366  
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 12,990,186   12,331,316  
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(1) 72,824   77,852  
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 30,192   28,913  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Loan commitments        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Loan commitments, at fair value 10,207   9,124  
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) 349,722   312,421  
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 2,207   2,206  
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     4,621  
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 135,146   128,898  
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 54   24  
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 4,619   257  
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   1,095  
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 1,534   14  
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 67   5,607  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Options        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value 7,858   1  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit Default Swaps On Corporate Bonds Indices        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value 1,348      
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Total assets 9,852   7,039  
Total liabilities (3,505)   (45)  
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 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 | 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- (527)   (45)  
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   0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Loan Purchase Commitments        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Loan Purchase Commitments, at Fair Value 0   0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Exchange Traded Options        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (2,978)      
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   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) 460   337  
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(1)    
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 | 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 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 | 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 | Total return 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 | Warrants        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value 0   1,095  
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 1,534   0  
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   5,607  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Options        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value 7,858   0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit Default Swaps On Corporate Bonds Indices        
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        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Total assets 709,389   664,973  
Total liabilities (341,098)   (325,728)  
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- (297,231)   (272,702)  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on asset-backed 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 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- (134)   (155)  
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- (5,285)   (25,407)  
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- (36,752)   (26,797)  
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- (1,606)   (598)  
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- (90)   (69)  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Loan Purchase Commitments        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Loan Purchase Commitments, at Fair Value 0   0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Exchange Traded Options        
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 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) 199,979   205,789  
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) 176,005   185,805  
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) 19,097   13,615  
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) 71,724   90,775  
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   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) 99,196   32,992  
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(1)    
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 | 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 indices        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value 2,207   2,206  
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     4,621  
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 135,146   128,898  
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   0  
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 4,619   257  
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   0  
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   14  
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 67   0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Options        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value 0   1  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit Default Swaps On Corporate Bonds Indices        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value 1,348      
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Total assets 18,426,524   17,574,550  
Total liabilities (14,536,089)   (14,011,786)  
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 securities        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (2)   (2)  
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   0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Loan Purchase Commitments        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Loan Purchase Commitments, at Fair Value 6,443   42  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Exchange Traded Options        
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 (3,125,332)   (2,945,578)  
HMBS-related obligations, at fair value (10,765,668)   (10,406,332)  
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 638,644   659,832  
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) 12,347   12,578  
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) 310,784   267,747  
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) 9,786   12,935  
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) 37,367   34,265  
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) 53,680   53,087  
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) 114,879   97,773  
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) 20,005   15,530  
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) 11,516   11,654  
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 3,748,165   3,643,094  
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 623,196   640,712  
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 135   159  
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 31,479   25,366  
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 12,990,186   12,331,316  
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(1) 72,824   77,852  
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 30,192   28,913  
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 10,207   9,124  
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) 349,722   312,421  
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 | 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 | Total return swaps        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value 54   24  
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 | 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 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 | Options        
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 Indices        
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value $ 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.