INVESTMENTS IN REAL ESTATE SECURITIES - Summary of the Geographic Distribution of the Collateral Securing Non-Agency RMBS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Non-Agency RMBS [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Outstanding Face Amount	[1]	$ 7,202,218	$ 3,102,973
Percentage of Total Outstanding	[1]	100.00%	100.00%
Non-Agency RMBS [Member] | Western U.S. [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Outstanding Face Amount	[1]	$ 2,757,424	$ 1,097,609
Percentage of Total Outstanding	[1]	38.30%	35.30%
Non-Agency RMBS [Member] | Southeastern U.S. [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Outstanding Face Amount	[1]	$ 1,635,596	$ 758,167
Percentage of Total Outstanding	[1]	22.70%	24.40%
Non-Agency RMBS [Member] | Northeastern U.S. [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Outstanding Face Amount	[1]	$ 1,426,519	$ 583,366
Percentage of Total Outstanding	[1]	19.80%	18.80%
Non-Agency RMBS [Member] | Midwestern U.S. [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Outstanding Face Amount	[1]	$ 778,372	$ 335,406
Percentage of Total Outstanding	[1]	10.80%	10.80%
Non-Agency RMBS [Member] | Southwestern U.S. [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Outstanding Face Amount	[1]	$ 557,033	$ 309,236
Percentage of Total Outstanding	[1]	7.70%	10.00%
Non-Agency RMBS [Member] | Other U.S. [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Outstanding Face Amount	[1],[2]	$ 47,274	$ 19,189
Percentage of Total Outstanding	[1],[2]	0.70%	0.70%
Servicer Advances [Member] | Bonds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Face amount		$ 100,000	$ 431,000

[1] Excludes $100.0 million and $431.0 million face amount of bonds backed by Servicer Advances at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

[2] Represents collateral for which New Residential was unable to obtain geographic information.