INVESTMENTS IN REAL ESTATE SECURITIES - Summary of Real Estate Securities (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) security bond	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Outstanding Face Amount	$ 13,030,161
Amortized Cost Basis	6,332,164
Carrying Value	$ 6,714,846	$ 5,073,858
Weighted Average Life (Years)	1 year 3 months 1 day
Number of bonds which New Residential was unable to obtain rating information | bond	218
Investments	$ 18,174,248
Bonds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Carrying Value	335,800
Residual Bonds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Investments	161,100
Non-Agency Bonds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Investments	0
Agency RMBS
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Face	5,848,400
Purchase Price	6,037,900
Face	6,134,900
Amortized Cost	6,293,300
Sale Price	6,304,400
Gain (Loss) on Sale	11,100
Outstanding Face Amount	1,123,553
Amortized Cost Basis	1,195,281
Gross Unrealized Gains	1,352
Gross Unrealized Losses	(5,977)
Carrying Value	$ 1,190,656	1,530,298
Number of Securities | security	68
Weighted Average Rating	AAA
Weighted Average Coupon	4.08%
Weighted Average Yield	2.96%
Weighted Average Life (Years)	7 years 6 months 28 days
Agency RMBS | Fixed Rate Residential Mortgage
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Outstanding Face Amount	$ 1,000,000
Agency RMBS | Adjustable Rate Residential Mortgage
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Outstanding Face Amount	113,600
Non-Agency
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Face	6,173,400
Purchase Price	2,418,400
Face	219,400
Amortized Cost	147,900
Sale Price	166,400
Gain (Loss) on Sale	18,400
Outstanding Face Amount	11,906,608
Amortized Cost Basis	5,136,883
Gross Unrealized Gains	412,213
Gross Unrealized Losses	(24,906)
Carrying Value	$ 5,524,190	3,543,560
Number of Securities | security	752
Weighted Average Rating	CCC-
Weighted Average Coupon	1.97%
Weighted Average Yield	5.77%
Weighted Average Life (Years)	7 years 8 months 2 days
Weighted Average Principal Subordination	8.90%
Non-Agency | Fixed Rate Residential Mortgage
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Outstanding Face Amount	$ 1,200,000
Residual and interest - only notional amount	700,000
Non-Agency | Adjustable Rate Residential Mortgage
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Outstanding Face Amount	10,700,000
Residual and interest - only notional amount	4,200,000
Investments in Real Estate Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Outstanding Face Amount	13,030,161
Amortized Cost Basis	6,332,164
Gross Unrealized Gains	413,565
Gross Unrealized Losses	(30,883)
Carrying Value	$ 6,714,846	$ 5,073,858
Number of Securities | security	820.00
Weighted Average Rating	B
Weighted Average Coupon	2.33%
Weighted Average Yield	5.24%
Weighted Average Life (Years)	7 years 7 months 26 days
Consumer Loan
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Outstanding Face Amount	$ 24,472
Amortized Cost Basis	29,048
Gross Unrealized Gains	3,202
Gross Unrealized Losses	0
Carrying Value	$ 32,250
Number of Securities | security	2
Weighted Average Rating	N/A
Weighted Average Yield	17.31%
Weighted Average Life (Years)	1 year 5 months 9 days
Interest-Only Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Outstanding Face Amount	$ 4,219,861
Amortized Cost Basis	203,359
Gross Unrealized Gains	8,545
Gross Unrealized Losses	(10,257)
Carrying Value	$ 201,647
Number of Securities | security	45
Weighted Average Rating	AA+
Weighted Average Coupon	1.57%
Weighted Average Yield	5.81%
Weighted Average Life (Years)	2 years 9 months 13 days
Servicing Strip
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Outstanding Face Amount	$ 442,479
Amortized Cost Basis	5,108
Gross Unrealized Gains	1,270
Gross Unrealized Losses	(193)
Carrying Value	$ 6,185
Number of Securities | security	16
Weighted Average Rating	N/A
Weighted Average Coupon	0.27%
Weighted Average Yield	22.40%
Weighted Average Life (Years)	6 years 7 months 26 days