Home Equity Investments (HEI) - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2025 USD ($) securitization	Dec. 31, 2024 USD ($) securitization	Dec. 31, 2023 securitization	Dec. 31, 2021 securitization	Feb. 27, 2026 USD ($)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of securitization transactions co-sponsored | securitization				2	2
Number of securitization transactions co-sponsored, called upon | securitization		1
Home equity investments | $	[1]	$ 329,883	$ 589,785
Legacy Investments
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of securitization transactions co-sponsored | securitization		1	2
Home equity investments | $		$ 314,000
Legacy Investments | Subsequent Event
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Home equity investments | $						$ 262,000

[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, 2025 and 2024, assets of consolidated VIEs totaled $18,927,094 and $14,654,942, respectively. At December 31, 2025 and 2024, liabilities of consolidated VIEs totaled $17,850,175 and $13,620,239, respectively. See Note 15 for further discussion.