Other Assets and Liabilities - Summary of Other Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Margin receivable		$ 85,044	$ 68,038
FHLBC stock		43,393	43,393
Pledged collateral		42,615	42,875
MSR holdback receivable		8,141	1,862
REO		3,354	5,533
Guarantee asset		2,869	4,092
Fixed assets and leasehold improvements		2,645	2,750
Commercial loans		0	2,700
Other		6,905	10,702
Total Other Assets	[1]	194,966	$ 181,945
Fixed assets basis		6,000
Fixed assets, accumulated depreciation		$ 4,000

[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.