Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

REAL ESTATE RELATED LOANS, RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LOANS AND SUBPRIME MORTGAGE LOANS - Activity in Carrying Value (Details 4)

v2.4.1.9
REAL ESTATE RELATED LOANS, RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LOANS AND SUBPRIME MORTGAGE LOANS - Activity in Carrying Value (Details 4) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Valuation (allowance) reversal on loans $ (2,419)us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses $ (25,035)us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses $ (24,587)us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses
Carrying value 230,200us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount    
Real Estate Related and Other Loans Held For Sale [Member]      
Carrying value 437,530us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_RealEstateLoansHFSMember 		843,132us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_RealEstateLoansHFSMember 		813,580us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_RealEstateLoansHFSMember
Purchases / additional fundings   315,296us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNewMortgageLoans
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_RealEstateLoansHFSMember 		109,491us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNewMortgageLoans
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_RealEstateLoansHFSMember
Interest accrued to principal balance 20,830us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateOtherAdditions
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_RealEstateLoansHFSMember 		26,588us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateOtherAdditions
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_RealEstateLoansHFSMember 		22,835us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateOtherAdditions
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_RealEstateLoansHFSMember
Principal paydowns (240,937)us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateCollectionsOfPrincipal
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_RealEstateLoansHFSMember 		(257,335)us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateCollectionsOfPrincipal
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_RealEstateLoansHFSMember 		(129,950)us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateCollectionsOfPrincipal
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_RealEstateLoansHFSMember
Sales   (101,338)us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateCostOfMortgagesSold
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_RealEstateLoansHFSMember 		 
Conversion to equity-GateHouse   (393,531)nct_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateConversion
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_RealEstateLoansHFSMember 		 
Elimination after restructure-Golf   (29,412)nct_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateRestructure
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_RealEstateLoansHFSMember 		 
Valuation (allowance) reversal on loans 3,303us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_RealEstateLoansHFSMember 		19,479us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_RealEstateLoansHFSMember 		28,213us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_RealEstateLoansHFSMember
Gain (Loss) on repayment of loans held-for-sale   7,216nct_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateLossOnRepayment
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_RealEstateLoansHFSMember 		(1,614)nct_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateLossOnRepayment
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_RealEstateLoansHFSMember
Accretion of loan discount and other amortization 8,867us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateAmortizationOfPremium
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_RealEstateLoansHFSMember 		6,689us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateAmortizationOfPremium
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_RealEstateLoansHFSMember 		 
Other 607us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateOtherDeductions
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_RealEstateLoansHFSMember 		746us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateOtherDeductions
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_RealEstateLoansHFSMember 		577us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateOtherDeductions
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_RealEstateLoansHFSMember
Carrying value 230,200us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_RealEstateLoansHFSMember 		437,530us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_RealEstateLoansHFSMember 		843,132us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_RealEstateLoansHFSMember
Residential Mortgage Loans Held For Sale [Member]      
Carrying value 2,185us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHFSMember 		2,471us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHFSMember 		2,687us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHFSMember
Principal paydowns (9,574)us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateCollectionsOfPrincipal
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHFSMember 		(373)us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateCollectionsOfPrincipal
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHFSMember 		(686)us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateCollectionsOfPrincipal
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHFSMember
Transfer to held-for-sale 246,121us-gaap_TransferOfPortfolioLoansAndLeasesToHeldForSale1
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHFSMember 		   
Sales (233,349)us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateCostOfMortgagesSold
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHFSMember 		   
Valuation (allowance) reversal on loans (51)us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHFSMember 		105us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHFSMember 		493us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHFSMember
Other (1,478)us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateOtherDeductions
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHFSMember 		(18)us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateOtherDeductions
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHFSMember 		(23)us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateOtherDeductions
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHFSMember
Carrying value 3,854us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHFSMember 		2,185us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHFSMember 		2,471us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHFSMember
Residential Mortgage Loans Held For Investment [Member]      
Carrying value 255,450us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHFIMember 		292,461us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHFIMember 		331,236us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHFIMember
Principal paydowns (9,436)us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateCollectionsOfPrincipal
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHFIMember 		(45,665)us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateCollectionsOfPrincipal
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHFIMember 		(38,182)us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateCollectionsOfPrincipal
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHFIMember
Transfer to held-for-sale (246,121)us-gaap_TransferOfPortfolioLoansAndLeasesToHeldForSale1
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHFIMember 		   
Valuation (allowance) reversal on loans (833)us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHFIMember 		[1] 5,451us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHFIMember 		[1] (4,119)us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHFIMember 		[1]
Accretion of loan discount and other amortization 115us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateAmortizationOfPremium
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHFIMember 		3,684us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateAmortizationOfPremium
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHFIMember 		4,002us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateAmortizationOfPremium
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHFIMember
Other 825us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateOtherDeductions
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHFIMember 		(481)us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateOtherDeductions
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHFIMember 		(476)us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateOtherDeductions
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHFIMember
Carrying value   255,450us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHFIMember 		292,461us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHFIMember
NPL Reverse Mortgage Loans [Member]      
Purchases / additional fundings   35,138us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNewMortgageLoans
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ReverseMortgageMember 		 
Spin-off of New Residential   (35,865)nct_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateSpinOff
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ReverseMortgageMember 		 
Accretion of loan discount and other amortization   $ 727us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateAmortizationOfPremium
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ReverseMortgageMember 		 
[1] The allowance for credit losses was determined based on the guidance for loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality.