INVESTMENTS IN RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LOANS - Carrying Value of Mortgage Loans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
SEC Schedule, 12-29, Real Estate Companies, Investment in Movement in Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Roll Forward]
Accretion and other amortization	$ 701,967	$ 1,031,384	$ 747,932
Transfer of loans to real estate owned	(107,577)	(124,013)
Residential Portfolio Segment \| Performing Loans
SEC Schedule, 12-29, Real Estate Companies, Investment in Movement in Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning	507,615	0
Shellpoint Acquisition	125,350
Purchases/additional fundings	55,993	550,742
Proceeds from repayments	(106,236)	(50,562)
Accretion and other amortization	15,773	8,101
Provision for loan losses	(1,028)	(646)
Transfer of loans to other assets	0	0
Transfer of loans to real estate owned	(5,131)	(20)
Transfer of loans to held-for-sale	(1,555)
Fair value adjustment	472
Balance, ending	591,253	507,615	0
PCD Loans
SEC Schedule, 12-29, Real Estate Companies, Investment in Movement in Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning	183,540	190,761
Purchases/additional fundings	29,785	58,884
Sales	0	0
Proceeds from repayments	(38,276)	(32,455)
Accretion and other amortization	24,124	20,217
(Allowance) reversal for loan losses	0	(1,488)
Transfer of loans to real estate owned	(28,060)	(29,299)
Transfer of loans to held-for-sale	(27,048)	(23,080)
Balance, ending	$ 144,065	$ 183,540	$ 190,761

Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Fair Value Adjustment

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Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Sales

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Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Transfer of Loans to Other Assets

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Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Transfer to Loans Held-for-Sale

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SEC Schedule, 12-29, Real Estate Companies, Investment in Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Acquisitions

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Amount of decrease in investment in mortgage loan on real estate by entity with substantial portion of business acquiring and holding investment real estate or interest in real estate, from collection of principal.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 12
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The sum of the periodic adjustments of the differences between securities' face values and purchase prices that are charged against earnings. This is called accretion if the security was purchased at a discount and amortization if it was purchased at premium. As a noncash item, this element is an adjustment to net income when calculating cash provided by or used in operations using the indirect method.

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The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the value of loans or securitized loans that are held with the intention to sell in the near future.

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Amount of investment in mortgage loan on real estate by entity with substantial portion of business acquiring and holding investment real estate or interest in real estate.

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Amount of increase in mortgage loan on real estate by entity with substantial portion of business acquiring and holding investment real estate or interest in real estate, from new investment.

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A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

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Amount of expense related to estimated loss from loan and lease transactions.

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Value transferred from mortgage loans to real estate owned (REO) in noncash transactions.

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