Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Interest income:
Residential mortgage investments	$ 255,931	$ 243,077	$ 198,488
Other	698	301	1,290
Interest Income	256,629	243,378	199,778
Interest expense:
Repurchase arrangements and similar borrowings	(69,101)	(57,328)	(47,502)
Unsecured borrowings	(8,747)	(8,747)	(8,747)
Other		(5)	(2)
Interest expense	(77,848)	(66,080)	(56,251)
Net interest income (expense)	178,781	177,298	143,527
Other revenue (expense):
Miscellaneous other revenue (expense)	(171)	(1,023)	(904)
Incentive compensation	(4,129)	(5,697)	(5,055)
Salaries and benefits	(6,843)	(6,701)	(6,097)
Other general and administrative expense	(4,271)	(3,932)	(4,834)
Operating expenses	(15,414)	(17,353)	(16,890)
Income before equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	163,367	159,945	126,637
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	259	259	259
Net income	163,626	160,204	126,896
Net income available to common stockholders:
Net income	163,626	160,204	126,896
Less cash dividends paid on preferred shares	(21,021)	(20,369)	(20,233)
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders, basic, total	$ 142,605	$ 139,835	$ 106,663
Net income per common share:
Basic	$ 1.50	$ 1.76	$ 1.53
Diluted	$ 1.50	$ 1.75	$ 1.52