Other Assets and Liabilities - Components of Other Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Margin receivable		$ 226,727	$ 100,773
Pledged collateral		57,832	42,433
FHLBC stock		43,393	43,393
Investment receivable		14,375	6,959
Right-of-use asset		11,076	0
REO		5,069	3,943
Fixed assets and leasehold improvements		4,794	5,106
Other		14,044	15,218
Total Other Assets	[1]	377,310	$ 217,825
Fixed assets		11,000
Accumulated depreciation		$ 6,000

[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 September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, assets of consolidated VIEs totaled $9,596,537 and $6,331,191, respectively. At September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, liabilities of consolidated VIEs totaled $8,582,595 and $5,709,807, respectively. See Note 4 for further discussion.