CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 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 ($13.22 and $13.12 billion pledged under repurchase arrangements at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively)	$ 13,529,211	[1]	$ 13,475,874	[1]
Cash collateral receivable from interest rate swap counterparties	35,996		25,502
Interest rate swap agreements at fair value	1,207		5,005
Cash and cash equivalents	486,293		413,356
Receivables and other assets	89,112		96,231
Total Assets	14,141,819		14,015,968
Liabilities
Repurchase arrangements and similar borrowings	12,590,255		12,482,900
Interest rate swap agreements at fair value	15,439		11,304
Unsecured borrowings	100,000		100,000
Common stock dividend payable	33,636		30,872
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	23,900		25,109
Total Liabilities	12,763,230		12,650,185
Stockholders' equity
Cumulative Preferred Stock					167,092	165,756
Common stock - $0.01 par value; 250,000 shares authorized: 95,767 and 95,807 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	958		958
Paid-in capital	1,329,994		1,329,792
Accumulated deficit	(347,357)		(349,866)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	227,902		219,143
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent	1,378,589		1,365,783
Total Liabilities and Equity	$ 14,141,819		$ 14,015,968

[1] Includes unrealized gains and losses for residential mortgage investments classified as available-for-sale (see NOTE 10).