Commitments and Contingencies - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2024 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2023 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2024 USD ($) lease	Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Lessee, number of leases | lease				8
Present value of remaining lease payments				$ 12,115
Operating lease expense				5,000	$ 5,000	$ 5,000
Unamortized leasehold improvements				2,000
Leasehold amortization expense				$ 500	500	$ 500
Operating lease term of contract				4 years
Operating lease payments				$ 400
Operating lease liabilities				$ 11,028	$ 14,725
Operating Lease, Liability, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]				Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities	Operating lease liabilities
Operating lease right-of-use assets				$ 9,167	$ 12,532
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible Enumeration]				Other assets	Other assets
Term of lease, not yet commenced				5 years
Aggregate total lease payments				$ 3,000
Weighted average remaining lease term				4 years
Discount rate (as a percent)				5.30%
Derivative liabilities	[1]			$ 23,660	$ 33,828
Commitment to Fund Residential Bridge Loan
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Other commitment				397,000
Derivative liabilities				1,000
CPP Joint Venture, Residential Investor Bridge and Term Loans
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Equity method investments, commitment amount		$ 100,000
Payments to acquire equity method investment				26,000
Oaktree Joint Venture, Residential Investor Bridge and Term Loans
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Equity method investments, commitment amount			$ 19,000
Payments to acquire equity method investment				$ 5,000

[1] Our consolidated balance sheets include assets of 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, 2024 and 2023, assets of consolidated VIEs totaled $14,654,942 and $10,988,885, respectively. At December 31, 2024 and 2023, liabilities of consolidated VIEs totaled $13,620,239 and $10,096,308, respectively. See Note 15 for further discussion.