Other Assets and Liabilities - Summary of Other Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Margin receivable		$ 68,038	$ 83,191
FHLBC stock		43,393	34,437
Pledged collateral		42,875	53,600
REO		5,533	4,896
Guarantee asset		4,092	5,697
Fixed assets and leasehold improvements		2,750	4,117
Prepaid expenses		1,639	3,640
Investment receivable		1,068	3,870
Other		9,857	4,438
Total Other Assets	[1]	179,245	$ 197,886
Fixed assets basis		5,000
Fixed assets, accumulated depreciation		$ 3,000

[1] Our consolidated balance sheets include assets of consolidated variable interest entities (“VIEs”) that can only be used to settle obligations of these VIEs and liabilities of consolidated VIEs for which creditors do not have recourse to Redwood Trust, Inc. or its affiliates. At December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, assets of consolidated VIEs totaled $798,317 and $1,195,574, respectively. At December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, liabilities of consolidated VIEs totaled $773,980 and $1,050,861, respectively. See Note 4 for further discussion.