Document And Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	May 02, 2022
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Central Index Key	0001786248
Entity Registrant Name	NexPoint Real Estate Finance, Inc.
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2022
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2022
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-39210
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	MD
Entity Tax Identification Number	84-2178264
Entity Address, Address Line One	300 Crescent Court, Suite 700
Entity Address, City or Town	Dallas
Entity Address, State or Province	TX
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	75201
City Area Code	214
Local Phone Number	276-6300
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	true
Entity Ex Transition Period	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		14,587,514
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	8.50% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value 0.01 per share
Trading Symbol	NREF-PRA
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Common Stock [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
Trading Symbol	NREF
Security Exchange Name	NYSE