INVESTMENTS IN REAL ESTATE SECURITIES - Summary of Real Estate Securities in an Unrealized Loss Position (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) bond security	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Outstanding Face Amount	$ 13,030,161
Other Than Temporary Impairment - Amortized Cost Basis	(22,552)	$ (15,495)
Amortized Cost Basis	6,332,164
Carrying Value - Total	$ 6,714,846
Weighted Average Life (Years)	1 year 3 months 1 day
Number of bonds which New Residential was unable to obtain rating information | bond	218
Less than 12 Months
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Outstanding Face Amount	$ 3,545,243
Before Impairment - Amortized Cost Basis	1,449,339
Other Than Temporary Impairment - Amortized Cost Basis	(1,223)
Amortized Cost Basis	1,448,116
Gross Unrealized Losses - Less than Twelve Months	(17,928)
Carrying Value - Less than Twelve Months	$ 1,430,188
Number of Securities - Less than Twelve Months | security	153
Weighted Average Rating	CCC+
Weighted Average Coupon	2.32%
Weighted Average Yield	4.50%
Weighted Average Life (Years)	7 years 2 months 2 days
Number of bonds which New Residential was unable to obtain rating information | bond	50
12 or More Months
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Outstanding Face Amount	$ 783,653
Before Impairment - Amortized Cost Basis	226,610
Other Than Temporary Impairment - Amortized Cost Basis	(286)
Amortized Cost Basis	226,324
Gross Unrealized Losses - Twelve or More Months	(12,955)
Carrying Value - Twelve or More Months	$ 213,369
Number of Securities - Twelve or More Months | security	59
Weighted Average Rating	BBB
Weighted Average Coupon	2.51%
Weighted Average Yield	3.28%
Weighted Average Life (Years)	3 years 6 months 7 days
Number of bonds which New Residential was unable to obtain rating information | bond	14
Total/Weighted Average
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Outstanding Face Amount	$ 4,328,896
Before Impairment - Amortized Cost Basis	1,675,949
Other Than Temporary Impairment - Amortized Cost Basis	(1,509)
Amortized Cost Basis	1,674,440
Gross Unrealized Losses - Total	(30,883)
Carrying Value - Total	$ 1,643,557
Number of Securities - Total | security	212
Weighted Average Rating	B
Weighted Average Coupon	2.34%
Weighted Average Yield	4.33%
Weighted Average Life (Years)	6 years 8 months 4 days