Real Estate Securities - Fair Values of Real Estate Securities by Collateral Type and Entity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Trading		$ 968,844	$ 445,687
Carrying Value		507,666	572,752
Total Real Estate Securities	[1]	$ 1,476,510	$ 1,018,439

[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.