CONSOLIDATED VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES - Others' Interest in Equity of Consumer Loan Companies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Total consolidated equity	$ 5,388,972	$ 6,800,830	$ 5,388,972	$ 6,800,830	$ 5,330,464	$ 7,236,260	$ 6,912,209	$ 6,088,295
Others’ interests in equity of consolidated subsidiary	96,681		96,681			78,550
Net (loss) income	44,129	(25,020)	(1,563,126)	130,892
Noncontrolling interests in income (loss) of consolidated subsidiaries	38,640	6,923	$ 22,478	17,241
VIE, consolidated
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
New Residential Interest in Investees			73.20%
VIE, consolidated | The Buyer
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Total consolidated equity	150,680		$ 150,680			168,207
Others’ interests in equity of consolidated subsidiary	40,333		40,333			45,025
Net (loss) income	32,092	1,235	(9,923)	10,390
Noncontrolling interests in income (loss) of consolidated subsidiaries	8,591	331	(2,656)	2,782
VIE, consolidated | Shelter Joint Ventures
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Total consolidated equity	31,055		31,055			23,171
Others’ interests in equity of consolidated subsidiary	15,186		15,186			11,354
Net (loss) income	9,037	3,182	11,660	3,980
Noncontrolling interests in income (loss) of consolidated subsidiaries	4,419	1,543	5,702	1,950
VIE, consolidated | Consumer Loan Companies
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Total consolidated equity	87,343		87,343			46,510
Others’ interests in equity of consolidated subsidiary	41,162		41,162			$ 22,171
Net (loss) income	55,119	10,859	41,789	26,900
Noncontrolling interests in income (loss) of consolidated subsidiaries	$ 25,630	$ 5,049	$ 19,432	$ 12,509
VIE, consolidated | The Buyer
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Others’ ownership interest	26.80%		26.80%			26.80%
New Residential Interest in Investees	73.20%	73.20%	73.20%	73.20%
VIE, consolidated | Shelter Joint Ventures
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Others’ ownership interest	48.90%		48.90%			49.00%
VIE, consolidated | Consumer Loan Companies
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Others’ ownership interest	46.50%		46.50%			46.50%
Weighted Average | VIE, consolidated | The Buyer
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Others’ ownership interest	26.80%	26.80%	26.80%	26.80%
Weighted Average | VIE, consolidated | Shelter Joint Ventures
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Others’ ownership interest	48.90%	49.00%	48.90%	49.00%
Weighted Average | VIE, consolidated | Consumer Loan Companies
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Others’ ownership interest	46.50%	46.50%	46.50%	46.50%