INVESTMENTS IN CONSUMER LOANS - Others' Interest in Equity of Consumer Loan Companies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended									12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016		Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Total Consumer Loan Companies equity	$ 3,260,100					$ 2,795,933				$ 3,260,100	$ 2,795,933
Noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries	208,077					190,647				208,077	190,647
Noncontrolling interests in income (loss) of consolidated subsidiaries	16,908	[1]	$ 32,178	$ 24,975	$ 4,202	$ (3,928)	$ 7,193	$ 4,158	$ 5,823	78,263	$ 13,246	$ 89,222
Consumer Loan Companies [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Total Consumer Loan Companies equity	$ 75,311									75,311
Net Consumer Loan Companies income (loss)										$ 81,992
Consumer Loan Companies [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Others’ ownership interest	46.50%									46.50%
Noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries	$ 35,020									$ 35,020
Noncontrolling interests in income (loss) of consolidated subsidiaries										$ 38,127

[1] New Residential completed significant transactions in the fourth quarter of 2016, as described in Notes 5, 8 and 9, as well as certain financings included in Note 11.