Schedule of Residential Loans at Amortized Cost, Net | Residential loans at amortized cost, net are comprised of the following components (in thousands): | | | | | | | | | | | | December 31, | | | 2016 | | 2015 | Unpaid principal balance (1) | | $ | 701,944 |
| | $ | 580,086 |
| Unamortized discounts and other cost basis adjustments, net (2) | | (31,568 | ) | | (34,223 | ) | Allowance for loan losses | | (5,167 | ) | | (4,457 | ) | Residential loans at amortized cost, net (3) | | $ | 665,209 |
| | $ | 541,406 |
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__________ | | (1) | Includes loans subject to repurchase from Ginnie Mae, which are discussed in more detail below. |
| | (2) | Includes $4.5 million and $4.6 million of accrued interest receivable at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. |
| | (3) | Includes $202.3 million and $40.8 million of mortgage loans that are not related to consolidated VIEs at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. |
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Schedule of Activity in Allowance for Loan Losses on Residential Loans at Amortized Cost, Net | The following table summarizes the activity in the allowance for loan losses on residential loans at amortized cost, net (in thousands): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | For the Years Ended December 31, | | | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2014 | Balance at beginning of the year | | $ | 4,457 |
| | $ | 10,033 |
| | $ | 14,320 |
| Provision for loan losses (1) | | 2,701 |
| | 3,142 |
| | 1,491 |
| Charge-offs, net of recoveries (2) | | (1,991 | ) | | (3,034 | ) | | (5,778 | ) | Sale of residual interests (3) | | — |
| | (5,684 | ) | | — |
| Balance at end of the year | | $ | 5,167 |
| | $ | 4,457 |
| | $ | 10,033 |
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__________ | | (1) | Provision for loan losses is included in other expenses, net on the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss. |
| | (2) | Includes charge-offs recognized upon foreclosure of real estate in satisfaction of residential loans of $1.4 million, $1.7 million and $4.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. |
| | (3) | Sale of residual interests represents a decrease to the allowance for loan losses resulting from the deconsolidation of the seven Residual Trusts during the year ended December 31, 2015. Refer to Note 5 for additional information regarding Residual Trusts. |
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