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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - New Accounting Standards and Interpretations (Details) (USD $)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]    
MBS securities recorded upon adoption of revised accounting standard $ 1,913,000,000mfa_MBSsecuritiesrecordeduponadoptionofrevisedaccountingstandard  
CRT securities recorded upon adoption of revised accounting standard 4,600,000mfa_CRTsecuritiesrecordeduponadoptionofrevisedaccountingstandard  
Repurchase agreements recorded upon adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing 1,519,593,000mfa_Repurchaseagreementsrecordeduponadoptionofrevisedaccountingstandard 0mfa_Repurchaseagreementsrecordeduponadoptionofrevisedaccountingstandard
Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing $ 4,537,000us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeCumulativeEffectOfChangeInAccountingPrincipleNetOfTaxes $ 0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeCumulativeEffectOfChangeInAccountingPrincipleNetOfTaxes