INVESTMENTS IN REAL ESTATE AND OTHER SECURITIES - Summary of Real Estate Securities in an Unrealized Loss Position - Associated Intent to Sell (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Unrealized losses reflected in other comprehensive income	$ 0
Securities New Residential intends to sell
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Fair Value	0
Amortized Cost Basis After Impairment	0
Unrealized Credit Losses	0
Unrealized Non-Credit Losses	0
Securities New Residential is more likely than not to be required to sell
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Fair Value	0
Amortized Cost Basis After Impairment	0
Unrealized Credit Losses	0
Credit impaired securities
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Fair Value	1,013,029,000
Amortized Cost Basis After Impairment	1,036,994,000
Unrealized Credit Losses	(3,889,000)
Unrealized Non-Credit Losses	(23,965,000)
Non-credit impaired securities
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Fair Value	2,467,380,000
Amortized Cost Basis After Impairment	2,513,158,000
Unrealized Credit Losses	0
Unrealized Non-Credit Losses	(45,778,000)
Total debt securities in an unrealized loss position
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Fair Value	3,480,409,000
Amortized Cost Basis After Impairment	3,550,152,000
Unrealized Credit Losses	(3,889,000)
Unrealized Non-Credit Losses	$ (69,743,000)