Other Assets and Liabilities - Components of Other Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Accrued interest receivable		$ 39,330	$ 71,058
Investment receivable		25,767	23,330
Right-of-use asset		13,487	11,866
REO		8,535	9,462
Pledged collateral		8,172	32,945
Income tax receivables		8,148	36
FHLBC stock		5,000	43,393
Fixed assets and leasehold improvements		4,408	4,901
Margin receivable		3,809	209,776
Other		7,617	12,554
Total Other Assets	[1]	124,273	$ 419,321
Fixed assets		12,000
Accumulated depreciation		$ 8,000

[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, 2020 and December 31, 2019, assets of consolidated VIEs totaled $8,197,095 and $11,931,869, respectively. At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, liabilities of consolidated VIEs totaled $7,238,047 and $10,717,072, respectively. See Note 4 for further discussion.