FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT - Securities Valuation Methodology and Results (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) source	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Outstanding Face Amount	$ 22,152,845	$ 14,822,986
Amortized Cost Basis	11,212,428	7,704,765
Real estate and other securities, available-for-sale	$ 11,636,581	8,071,140
Number of broker quotation sources \| source	2
Percentage of instruments with ranges of assumptions used available	73.30%
Fair Value	$ 117,903
Agency
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Outstanding Face Amount	2,613,395	1,203,629
Amortized Cost Basis	2,657,917	1,247,093
Real estate and other securities, available-for-sale	2,665,618	1,243,617
Treasury
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Outstanding Face Amount		862,000
Amortized Cost Basis		858,028
Real estate and other securities, available-for-sale		852,734
Non-Agency
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Outstanding Face Amount	19,539,450	12,757,357
Amortized Cost Basis	8,554,511	5,599,644
Real estate and other securities, available-for-sale	8,970,963	5,974,789
Fair Value	6,578,455
Multiple Quotes
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Real estate and other securities, available-for-sale	11,625,463	8,059,928
Single Quote
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Real estate and other securities, available-for-sale	11,118	11,212
Single Quote \| Seller
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Real estate and other securities, available-for-sale	11,100	10,500
Level 2 \| Agency
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Real estate and other securities, available-for-sale	2,665,618	1,243,617
Level 2 \| Treasury
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Real estate and other securities, available-for-sale		852,734
Level 2 \| Multiple Quotes \| Agency
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Real estate and other securities, available-for-sale	2,665,618	1,243,617
Level 2 \| Multiple Quotes \| Treasury
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Real estate and other securities, available-for-sale		852,734
Level 2 \| Single Quote \| Agency
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Real estate and other securities, available-for-sale	0	0
Level 2 \| Single Quote \| Treasury
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Real estate and other securities, available-for-sale		0
Level 3 \| Non-Agency
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Real estate and other securities, available-for-sale	8,970,963	5,974,789
Level 3 \| Multiple Quotes \| Non-Agency
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Real estate and other securities, available-for-sale	8,959,845	5,963,577
Level 3 \| Single Quote \| Non-Agency
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Real estate and other securities, available-for-sale	$ 11,118	$ 11,212
Discount Rate \| Minimum \| Non-Agency
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Measurement Input	0.0278
Discount Rate \| Maximum \| Non-Agency
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Measurement Input	0.30
Prepayment Rate \| Minimum \| Non-Agency
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Measurement Input	0.0025
Prepayment Rate \| Maximum \| Non-Agency
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Measurement Input	0.250
CDR \| Minimum \| Non-Agency
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Measurement Input	0.0025
CDR \| Maximum \| Non-Agency
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Measurement Input	0.0900
Loss Severity \| Minimum \| Non-Agency
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Measurement Input	0.050
Loss Severity \| Maximum \| Non-Agency
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Measurement Input	1.00

Fair Value Measurements, Percentage of Instruments with Ranges of Assumptions Used Available

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Number Of Broker Quotation Sources

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Amortized cost of investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale).

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For investments which are quantified by principal amount, the principle balance held at close of period.

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