INVESTMENTS IN REAL ESTATE SECURITIES - CHANGES IN ACCRETABLE YIELDS (Details 4) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Investments In Real Estate Securities - Changes In Accretable Yields Details 4
Balance, beginning	$ 90,077
Additions	76,263	80,636
Accretion	(9,706)	(3,195)
Reclassifications from non-accretable difference	23,679	12,636
Disposals	153
Balance, ending	$ 180,466	$ 90,077

Name:	nrz_InvestmentsInRealEstateSecuritiesChangesInAccretableYieldsDetails4Abstract
Namespace Prefix:	nrz_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The aggregate excess of a loan's cash flows expected to be collected over the investor's initial investment in the loan. This relates to loans accounted for as available-for-sale debt securities, with evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination that were acquired by completion of a transfer for which it is probable, at acquisition, that the investor will be unable to collect all contractually required payments receivable.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 30

-Section 15

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27045933&loc=d3e13503-111538

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6379141&loc=d3e15032-111544

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CertainLoansAcquiredInTransferAccountedForAsAvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccretableYield
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Current period recognition of the accretion of the excess of a loan's cash flows expected to be collected over the investor's initial investment in the loan. This element relates to loans accounted for as available-for-sale debt securities, with evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination that were acquired by completion of a transfer for which it is probable, at acquisition, that the investor will be unable to collect all contractually required payments receivable.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CertainLoansAcquiredInTransferAccountedForAsAvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccretableYieldAccretion
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Increases in the aggregate excess of a loan's cash flows expected to be collected over the investor's initial investment in the loan. This relates to loans accounted for as available-for-sale debt securities, with evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination that were acquired by completion of a transfer for which it is probable, at acquisition, that the investor will be unable to collect all contractually required payments receivable.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CertainLoansAcquiredInTransferAccountedForAsAvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccretableYieldAdditions
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Sale or transfer of a loan during the period resulting in a reduction in the excess of a loan's cash flows expected to be collected over the investor's initial investment. This relates to a loan accounted for as an available-for-sale debt security, with evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination that was acquired by completion of a transfer for which it is probable, at acquisition, that the investor will be unable to collect all contractually required payments receivable.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CertainLoansAcquiredInTransferAccountedForAsAvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccretableYieldDisposalsOfLoans
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Change in the estimate of cash flows expected to be collected, which results in an increase in accretable yield. This relates to a loan accounted for as an available-for-sale debt security, with evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination that was acquired by completion of a transfer for which it is probable, at acquisition, that the investor will be unable to collect all contractually required payments receivable.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CertainLoansAcquiredInTransferAccountedForAsAvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccretableYieldReclassificationsFromNonaccretableDifference
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration