INVESTMENTS IN EXCESS MORTGAGE SERVICING RIGHTS - Summary of Excess MSRs Made Through Equity Method Investees (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Schedule of MSRs [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance	$ 103,000,000
Weighted Average Life (Years)	10 months 29 days
Excess MSRs Investees
Schedule of MSRs [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance	$ 41,707,963	$ 50,501,054
New Residential Interest in Investees	50.00%	50.00%
Amortized Cost Basis	$ 198,261	$ 233,495
Carrying Value	$ 269,203	$ 321,197
Weighted Average Life (Years)	6 years 2 months 12 days	6 years 3 months 4 days
Excess MSRs Investees | Agency
Schedule of MSRs [Line Items]
New Residential Interest in Investees	50.00%
Excess MSRs Investees | Agency | Original and Recaptured Pools
Schedule of MSRs [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance	$ 41,707,963	$ 50,501,054
Investee Interest in Excess MSR	66.70%	66.70%
New Residential Interest in Investees	50.00%	50.00%
Amortized Cost Basis	$ 178,560	$ 209,924
Carrying Value	$ 228,779	$ 271,785
Weighted Average Life (Years)	5 years 5 months 23 days	5 years 8 months 5 days
Excess MSRs Investees | Agency | Recapture Agreements
Schedule of MSRs [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance	$ 0	$ 0
Investee Interest in Excess MSR	66.70%	66.70%
New Residential Interest in Investees	50.00%	50.00%
Amortized Cost Basis	$ 19,701	$ 23,571
Carrying Value	$ 40,424	$ 49,412
Weighted Average Life (Years)	12 years 8 months 19 days	11 years 5 months 7 days