VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES - Others' Interest in Equity of Consumer Loan Companies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Total consolidated equity	$ 5,621,813	$ 5,330,464	$ 5,429,684	$ 7,236,260
Others’ interest in equity of consolidated subsidiary	98,984		108,668
Net income	301,336	(1,607,255)
Noncontrolling interests in income (loss) of consolidated subsidiaries	$ 9,394	(16,162)
VIE, consolidated
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
New Residential Interest in Investees	73.20%
VIE, consolidated | The Buyer
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Total consolidated equity	$ 148,818		163,944
Others’ interest in equity of consolidated subsidiary	39,834		43,882
Net income	4,885	(42,015)
Noncontrolling interests in income (loss) of consolidated subsidiaries	1,308	(11,247)
VIE, consolidated | Shelter Joint Ventures
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Total consolidated equity	35,005		38,727
Others’ interest in equity of consolidated subsidiary	17,187		19,402
Net income	7,180	2,571
Noncontrolling interests in income (loss) of consolidated subsidiaries	3,525	1,283
VIE, consolidated | Consumer Loan SPVs
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Total consolidated equity	89,066		96,418
Others’ interest in equity of consolidated subsidiary	41,963		$ 45,384
Net income	9,809	(13,330)
Noncontrolling interests in income (loss) of consolidated subsidiaries	$ 4,561	$ (6,198)
VIE, consolidated | The Buyer
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Others’ ownership interest	26.80%		26.80%
New Residential Interest in Investees	73.20%	73.20%
VIE, consolidated | The Buyer | Weighted Average
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Others’ ownership interest	26.80%	26.80%
VIE, consolidated | Shelter Joint Ventures
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Others’ ownership interest	49.10%		50.10%
VIE, consolidated | Shelter Joint Ventures | Weighted Average
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Others’ ownership interest	49.10%	49.90%
VIE, consolidated | Consumer Loan SPVs
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Others’ ownership interest	46.50%		46.50%
VIE, consolidated | Consumer Loan SPVs | Weighted Average
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Others’ ownership interest	46.50%	46.50%