INVESTMENTS IN REAL ESTATE SECURITIES - Summary of Real Estate Securities in an Unrealized Loss Position (Details) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) bond security	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Outstanding Face Amount		$ 8,788,957	$ 4,418,552
Other Than Temporary Impairment - Amortized Cost Basis		(15,495)	(6,239)	$ (1,127)
After Impairment - Amortized Cost Basis		4,948,327	2,498,078
Carrying Value - Total/Weighted Average		$ 5,073,858	$ 2,501,881
Weighted Average Life (Years)		1 year 10 months 3 days
Securities in an Unrealized Loss Position Less than Twelve Months [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Outstanding Face Amount		$ 1,300,530
Before Impairment - Amortized Cost Basis		620,309
Other Than Temporary Impairment - Amortized Cost Basis	[1]	(939)
After Impairment - Amortized Cost Basis		619,370
Gross Unrealized Losses - Less than Twelve Months		(9,896)
Carrying Value - Less than Twelve Months		$ 609,474
Number of Securities - Less than Twelve Months | security		195
Weighted Average Rating	[2]	CCC+
Weighted Average Coupon		1.44%
Weighted Average Yield		5.16%
Weighted Average Life (Years)		7 years 5 months 1 day
Number of bonds which New Residential was unable to obtain rating information | bond		111
Securities in an Unrealized Loss Position Twelve or More Months [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Outstanding Face Amount		$ 969,356
Before Impairment - Amortized Cost Basis		314,720
Other Than Temporary Impairment - Amortized Cost Basis	[1]	(1,487)
After Impairment - Amortized Cost Basis		313,233
Gross Unrealized Losses - Twelve or More Months		(13,582)
Carrying Value - Twelve or More Months		$ 299,651
Number of Securities - Twelve or More Months | security		47
Weighted Average Rating	[2]	BB+
Weighted Average Coupon		1.89%
Weighted Average Yield		4.51%
Weighted Average Life (Years)		6 years 2 months 1 day
Number of bonds which New Residential was unable to obtain rating information | bond		10
Securities in a Loss Position [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Outstanding Face Amount		$ 2,269,886
Before Impairment - Amortized Cost Basis		935,029
Other Than Temporary Impairment - Amortized Cost Basis	[1]	(2,426)
After Impairment - Amortized Cost Basis		932,603
Gross Unrealized Losses - Total/Weighted Average		(23,478)
Carrying Value - Total/Weighted Average		$ 909,125
Number of Securities - Total/Weighted Average | security		242
Weighted Average Rating	[2]	B
Weighted Average Coupon		1.59%
Weighted Average Yield		4.94%
Weighted Average Life (Years)		6 years 11 months 30 days

[1] This amount represents OTTI recorded on securities that are in an unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2016.

[2] The weighted average rating of securities in an unrealized loss position for less than 12 months excludes the rating of 111 bonds which either have never been rated or for which rating information is no longer provided. The weighted average rating of securities in an unrealized loss position for 12 or more months excludes the rating of 10 bonds which either have never been rated or for which rating information is no longer provided.