| 
           REAL ESTATE SECURITIES (Details Narrative) (USD $) 
        In Thousands, unless otherwise specified  | 
        12 Months Ended | 0 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 
           Dec. 31, 2013 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012 
         | 
        
           Jun. 27, 2013
 
          FNMA/FHLMC Securities 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2013
 
          FNMA/FHLMC Securities 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          FNMA/FHLMC Securities 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          Restated 
         | 
      ||||||||
| CDO Bonds issued by Third party carrying value | $ 57,800 | ||||||||||||
| Carrying Value of Newcastle's Investment | 2,002 | ||||||||||||
| Total Outstanding face amount of fixed rate securities | 400,000 | 500,000 | |||||||||||
| Total Outstanding face amount of floating rate securities | 800,000 | 1,500,000 | |||||||||||
| Principal receivable | 4,800 | 7,400 | |||||||||||
| Outstanding Face Amount of securities sold to New Residential | 1,170,905 | [1] | 2,078,101 | [1] | 22,800 | 514,994 | [2] | 768,619 | |||||
| Proceeds for sale of securities to New Residential, net of financing | 1,200 | ||||||||||||
| Other Than Temporary Impairment Charges in period | 5,200 | 19,300 | 12,900 | ||||||||||
| Reduction for securities transferred to New Residential | 3,800 | ||||||||||||
| OTTI charges for Newcastle owned securities at end of period | $ 0 | $ 400 | $ (2,900) | ||||||||||
          
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          Carrying value of two collateralized debt obligation bonds issued by a third party, included within overall collateralized debt obligations holdings. No definition available. 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          This item represents reductions in the cumulative amount of credit losses recognized in earnings for an other than temporary impairment (OTTI) of a debt security because of the transfer of impaired securities during the period. No definition available. 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          Total outstanding face amount of all the company's holdings of fixed rate securities. No definition available. 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          Total outstanding face amount of all the company's holdings of floating rate securities. No definition available. 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          Amount of principal receivable related to US Government Agencies debt securities. No definition available. 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          For investments which are quantified by principal amount, the principle balance held at close of period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          The change during the reporting period in the cumulative amount of credit losses recognized in earnings related to debt securities held for which a portion of an other than temporary impairment (OTTI) was recognized in other comprehensive income (a component of shareholders' equity). Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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| X | ||||||||||
| 
             
- Definition 
          The amount of other than temporary impairment losses on investments in debt and equity securities categorized as Available-for-sale which have been recognized in earnings during the period. Such impairment losses consist of other than temporary impairments (OTTI) on equity securities, credit losses on investments in debt securities, and when the entity intends to sell an impaired debt security or it is more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell the impaired debt security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          The cash inflow associated with the sale of debt securities classified as available-for-sale securities. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          The net carrying amount of the consolidated Variable Interest Entity's assets and liabilities included in the reporting entity's statement of financial position. No definition available. 
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