Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Details)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) shares	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) class	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Significant Accounting Policy Disclosures [Line Items]
Gain for consideration received for contribution of Marix	$ 3,100,000
Number of days to settle transactions			3 days
Cash In process of settlement			$ 110,600,000	$ 116,100,000
Minimum Period After Which Residential Loans Are Placed On Non-accrual Status			90 days
Gain or loss recognized on transfers of reverse loans			$ 0
Percentage of maximum claim amount, repurchase threshold			98.00%
Number of classes of servicing riights | class			3
Borrower escrow funds and other custodial funds due to credit owners			$ 4,400,000,000	3,800,000,000
Minimum initial cash investment percentage required for purchase of real estate owned			5.00%
Advertising expense			$ 25,000,000	$ 44,500,000	$ 31,200,000
Other Non-Reportable Segment [Member]
Significant Accounting Policy Disclosures [Line Items]
Asset management performance fees					$ 36,800,000
Walter Capital Opportunity, L.P. [Member]
Significant Accounting Policy Disclosures [Line Items]
Partnership common units received | shares	300,000
Marix [Member]
Significant Accounting Policy Disclosures [Line Items]
Percentage of equity contributed and deconsolidated		100.00%