Asset-Backed Securities Issued - Summary of Accrued Interest Payable on Asset-Backed Securities Issued (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Accrued interest payable	[1]	$ 9,608	$ 8,936
Asset-backed securities issued, net | Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Accrued interest payable		518	804
Asset-backed securities issued, net | Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary | Sequoia Entities
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Accrued interest payable		518	555
Asset-backed securities issued, net | Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary | Commercial Securitization
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Accrued interest payable		$ 0	$ 249

[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.