Principles of Consolidation - Securitization Activity Related to Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entity's Sponsored by Redwood (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
MSRs recognized	$ 10,060	$ 64,725	$ 48,000
Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Principal balance of loans transferred	1,036,584	1,375,532
MSRs recognized	6,451	8,202
Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary | Trading Securities
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Securities retained, at fair value	3,573	252,222
Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary | AFS Securities
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Securities retained, at fair value	$ 5,554	$ 7,852