Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2024		Dec. 31, 2023		Dec. 31, 2022
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative assets	[1]	$ 46,003		$ 14,212
Total Assets		18,258,344	[1]	14,504,327	[1]	$ 13,030,899
Liabilities
ABS issued		12,879,530		9,151,263
Derivative liabilities	[1]	23,660		33,828
Total Liabilities	[1]	17,070,481		13,301,634
Level 3
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Total Assets		17,391,480
Liabilities
Total Liabilities		12,979,536
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Residential investor loans		4,587,090		5,220,297
Consolidated agency multifamily loans		424,597		425,285
Trading		193,749		40,424
Available-for-sale		211,474		87,373
HEI		589,785		550,436
Servicer advance investments		233,820		225,345
Excess MSRs		32,274		37,367
MSRs		31,589		24,877
Strategic investments		3,460		3,193
Derivative assets		46,003		14,212
Total Assets		17,431,664		13,679,446
Liabilities
ABS issued		12,879,530		9,151,263
Derivative liabilities		23,660		33,828
Non-controlling interest		99,510		59,752
Total Liabilities		13,002,700		9,244,843
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Residential Consumer Loans
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Residential consumer loans		11,077,823		7,050,637
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Residential investor loans		0		0
Consolidated agency multifamily loans		0		0
Trading		0		0
Available-for-sale		0		0
HEI		0		0
Servicer advance investments		0		0
Excess MSRs		0		0
MSRs		0		0
Strategic investments		0		0
Derivative assets		16,446		952
Total Assets		16,446		952
Liabilities
ABS issued		0		0
Derivative liabilities		23,164		30,414
Non-controlling interest		0		0
Total Liabilities		23,164		30,414
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Residential Consumer Loans
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Residential consumer loans		0		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Residential investor loans		0		0
Consolidated agency multifamily loans		0		0
Trading		0		0
Available-for-sale		0		0
HEI		0		0
Servicer advance investments		0		0
Excess MSRs		0		0
MSRs		0		0
Strategic investments		0		0
Derivative assets		23,738		1,742
Total Assets		23,738		1,742
Liabilities
ABS issued		0		0
Derivative liabilities		0		0
Non-controlling interest		0		0
Total Liabilities		0		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Residential Consumer Loans
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Residential consumer loans		0		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Residential investor loans		4,587,090		5,220,297
Consolidated agency multifamily loans		424,597		425,285
Trading		193,749		40,424
Available-for-sale		211,474		87,373
HEI		589,785		550,436
Servicer advance investments		233,820		225,345
Excess MSRs		32,274		37,367
MSRs		31,589		24,877
Strategic investments		3,460		3,193
Derivative assets		5,819		11,518
Total Assets		17,391,480		13,676,752
Liabilities
ABS issued		12,879,530		9,151,263
Derivative liabilities		496		3,414
Non-controlling interest		99,510		59,752
Total Liabilities		12,979,536		9,214,429
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Residential Consumer Loans
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Residential consumer loans		$ 11,077,823		$ 7,050,637

[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.