Equity - Changes to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 1,146,265	[1]	$ 1,256,141		$ 1,245,783
Total other comprehensive (loss) income	(20,140)		(48,695)		(8,078)
Balance at End of Period	1,149,428	[1]	1,146,265	[1]	1,256,141
Other comprehensive income (loss). before reclassification adjustments, tax benefit (provision)	1,000		(400)		(2,000)
Net Unrealized Gains on Available-for-Sale Securities
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	139,356		186,737
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(2,316)		(17,955)
Amounts reclassified from other accumulated comprehensive income	(21,167)		(29,426)
Total other comprehensive (loss) income	(23,483)		(47,381)
Balance at End of Period	115,873		139,356		186,737
Net Unrealized Losses on Interest Rate Agreements Accounted for as Cash Flow Hedges
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	(47,363)		(46,049)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	3,271		(1,409)
Amounts reclassified from other accumulated comprehensive income	72		95
Total other comprehensive (loss) income	3,343		(1,314)
Balance at End of Period	$ (44,020)		$ (47,363)		$ (46,049)

[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.