Long-Term Debt - Debt maturities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total FHLBC Borrowings	[1]	$ 2,575,023	$ 2,620,683
FHLB Chicago | Subsidiaries
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2024		470,171
2025		887,639
2026		642,189
Total FHLBC Borrowings		$ 1,999,999

[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, 2017 and December 31, 2016, assets of consolidated VIEs totaled $1,259,774 and $798,317, respectively. At December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, liabilities of consolidated VIEs totaled $1,167,157 and $773,980, respectively. See Note 4 for further discussion.