INVESTMENTS IN REAL ESTATE AND OTHER SECURITIES - Summary of Real Estate Securities in an Unrealized Loss Position - Associated Intent to Sell (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Unrealized losses reflected in other comprehensive income	$ 0
Securities New Residential intends to sell(C)
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value	0
Amortized Cost Basis After Impairment	0
Unrealized Credit Losses	0
Unrealized Non-Credit Losses	0
Securities New Residential is more likely than not to be required to sell(D)
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value	0
Amortized Cost Basis After Impairment	0
Unrealized Credit Losses	0
Credit impaired securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value	516,765,000
Amortized Cost Basis After Impairment	534,878,000
Unrealized Credit Losses	(1,598,000)
Unrealized Non-Credit Losses	(18,113,000)
Non-credit impaired securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value	1,892,520,000
Amortized Cost Basis After Impairment	1,932,712,000
Unrealized Credit Losses	0
Unrealized Non-Credit Losses	(40,192,000)
Total debt securities in an unrealized loss position
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value	2,409,285,000
Amortized Cost Basis After Impairment	2,467,590,000
Unrealized Credit Losses	(1,598,000)
Unrealized Non-Credit Losses	$ (58,305,000)