INVESTMENTS IN REAL ESTATE AND OTHER SECURITIES - Summary of Real Estate Securities (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($) security bond	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($) security bond	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Sales
Outstanding Face Amount	$ 30,311,608		$ 30,311,608
Carrying Value	10,830,067		$ 10,830,067		$ 19,477,728
Weighted Average Life (Years)			2 years 3 months 18 days
Investments	23,036,611		$ 23,036,611
Bonds
Sales
Carrying Value	$ 647,100		$ 647,100
Number of bonds which New Residential was unable to obtain rating information | bond	305		305
Residual Bonds
Sales
Investments	$ 26,500		$ 26,500
Non-Agency Bonds
Sales
Investments	2,800		2,800
Agency RMBS
Purchases
Face	6,300,000	$ 12,306,400	17,162,600	$ 25,123,500
Purchase price	6,538,000	12,610,900	17,687,400	25,700,000
Sales
Face	1,195,500	6,073,400	18,590,600	17,898,500
Amortized Cost Basis	1,231,800	6,233,500	18,911,000	18,339,100
Sale price	1,251,500	6,252,800	19,120,500	18,451,400
Gain (loss) on sale	19,700	19,300	209,500	112,300
Outstanding Face Amount	9,035,433		9,035,433
Amortized Cost Basis	9,362,557		9,362,557
Gross Unrealized Gains	61,159		61,159
Gross Unrealized Losses	(2,891)		(2,891)
Carrying Value	$ 9,420,823		$ 9,420,823		11,519,943
Number of Securities | security	54		54
Weighted Average Rating			AAA
Weighted Average Coupon	2.25%		2.25%
Weighted Average Yield	2.25%		2.25%
Weighted Average Life (Years)			4 years 2 months 12 days
Agency RMBS | Fixed Rate Securities
Sales
Outstanding Face Amount	$ 9,000,000		$ 9,000,000
Agency RMBS
Sales
Outstanding Face Amount	114,401		114,401
Amortized Cost Basis	115,223		115,223
Gross Unrealized Gains	12,254		12,254
Gross Unrealized Losses	0		0
Carrying Value	$ 127,476		$ 127,476		11,519,943
Number of Securities | security	1		1
Weighted Average Rating			AAA
Weighted Average Coupon	3.50%		3.50%
Weighted Average Yield	3.50%		3.50%
Weighted Average Life (Years)			8 years 9 months 18 days
Agency RMBS at FVO
Sales
Outstanding Face Amount	$ 8,921,032		$ 8,921,032
Amortized Cost Basis	9,247,334		9,247,334
Gross Unrealized Gains	48,905		48,905
Gross Unrealized Losses	(2,891)		(2,891)
Carrying Value	$ 9,293,347		$ 9,293,347		0
Number of Securities | security	53		53
Weighted Average Rating			AAA
Weighted Average Coupon	2.24%		2.24%
Weighted Average Yield	2.24%		2.24%
Weighted Average Life (Years)			4 years 1 month 6 days
Non-Agency
Purchases
Face	$ 0	3,324,900	$ 5,083,100	7,899,100
Purchase price	0	247,000	575,000	1,164,900
Sales
Face	716,600	1,325,200	8,204,400	2,162,700
Amortized Cost Basis	526,300	832,400	6,083,500	1,571,000
Sale price	514,600	910,900	5,139,200	1,662,900
Gain (loss) on sale	(11,600)	$ 78,500	(944,300)	$ 91,900
Outstanding Face Amount	21,276,175		21,276,175
Amortized Cost Basis	1,386,243		1,386,243
Gross Unrealized Gains	92,192		92,192
Gross Unrealized Losses	(69,191)		(69,191)
Carrying Value	$ 1,409,244		$ 1,409,244		7,957,785
Number of Securities | security	599		599
Weighted Average Rating			AA
Weighted Average Coupon	3.03%		3.03%
Weighted Average Yield	4.86%		4.86%
Weighted Average Life (Years)			5 years 10 months 24 days
Weighted Average Principal Subordination	16.50%		16.50%
Non-Agency | Fixed Rate Securities
Sales
Outstanding Face Amount	$ 13,000,000		$ 13,000,000
Residual and interest - only notional amount	11,900,000		11,900,000
Non-Agency | Floating Rate Securities
Sales
Outstanding Face Amount	8,300,000		8,300,000
Residual and interest - only notional amount	7,700,000		7,700,000
Investments in Real Estate Securities
Sales
Outstanding Face Amount	30,311,608		30,311,608
Amortized Cost Basis	10,748,800		10,748,800
Gross Unrealized Gains	153,351		153,351
Gross Unrealized Losses	(72,082)		(72,082)
Carrying Value	$ 10,830,067		$ 10,830,067		$ 19,477,728
Number of Securities | security	653		653
Weighted Average Rating			AAA
Weighted Average Coupon	2.80%		2.80%
Weighted Average Yield	4.09%		4.09%
Weighted Average Life (Years)			5 years 4 months 24 days
Corporate debt
Sales
Outstanding Face Amount	$ 500		$ 500
Amortized Cost Basis	500		500
Gross Unrealized Gains	10		10
Gross Unrealized Losses	0		0
Carrying Value	$ 510		$ 510
Number of Securities | security	1		1
Weighted Average Rating			B-
Weighted Average Coupon	8.25%		8.25%
Weighted Average Yield	8.25%		8.25%
Weighted Average Life (Years)			4 years 6 months
Consumer loan bonds
Sales
Outstanding Face Amount	$ 13,847		$ 13,847
Amortized Cost Basis	11,069		11,069
Gross Unrealized Gains	0		0
Gross Unrealized Losses	0		0
Carrying Value	$ 11,069		$ 11,069
Number of Securities | security	6		6
Interest-only securities
Sales
Outstanding Face Amount	$ 10,506,022		$ 10,506,022
Amortized Cost Basis	272,207		272,207
Gross Unrealized Gains	17,641		17,641
Gross Unrealized Losses	(33,893)		(33,893)
Carrying Value	$ 255,954		$ 255,954
Number of Securities | security	126		126
Weighted Average Rating			AA+
Weighted Average Coupon	1.16%		1.16%
Weighted Average Yield	7.80%		7.80%
Weighted Average Life (Years)			2 years 8 months 12 days
Servicing strips
Sales
Outstanding Face Amount	$ 5,418,547		$ 5,418,547
Amortized Cost Basis	55,861		55,861
Gross Unrealized Gains	4,314		4,314
Gross Unrealized Losses	(9,009)		(9,009)
Carrying Value	$ 51,167		$ 51,167
Number of Securities | security	59		59
Weighted Average Coupon	0.61%		0.61%
Weighted Average Yield	7.60%		7.60%
Weighted Average Life (Years)			3 years 9 months 18 days