CONSOLIDATED VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES - Others' Interest in Equity of Consumer Loan Companies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Total consolidated equity	$ 5,428,631	$ 7,262,117	$ 5,428,631	$ 7,262,117	$ 5,388,972	$ 7,236,260	$ 6,800,830	$ 6,088,295
Others’ interests in equity of consolidated subsidiary	99,437		99,437			78,550
Net income	103,920	244,660	(1,459,206)	375,552
Noncontrolling interests in income (loss) of consolidated subsidiaries	11,640	14,738	$ 34,118	31,979
VIE, consolidated
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
New Residential Interest in Investees			73.20%
VIE, consolidated | The Buyer
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Total consolidated equity	160,440		$ 160,440			168,207
Others’ interests in equity of consolidated subsidiary	42,946		42,946			45,025
Net income	9,761	6,288	(162)	16,678
Noncontrolling interests in income (loss) of consolidated subsidiaries	2,612	1,684	(44)	4,466
VIE, consolidated | Shelter Joint Ventures
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Total consolidated equity	36,612		36,612			23,171
Others’ interests in equity of consolidated subsidiary	18,365		18,365			11,354
Net income	9,649	5,098	21,017	9,144
Noncontrolling interests in income (loss) of consolidated subsidiaries	4,840	2,457	10,542	4,407
VIE, consolidated | Consumer Loan Companies
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Total consolidated equity	80,782		80,782			46,510
Others’ interests in equity of consolidated subsidiary	38,126		38,126			$ 22,171
Net income	9,006	22,790	50,795	49,690
Noncontrolling interests in income (loss) of consolidated subsidiaries	$ 4,188	$ 10,597	$ 23,620	$ 23,106
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	50.20%		50.20%			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	50.20%	48.20%	50.20%	48.20%
Weighted Average | VIE, consolidated | Consumer Loan Companies
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Others’ ownership interest	46.50%	46.50%	46.50%	46.50%