Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income attributable to Redwood Trust, Inc.	$ 173,246		$ 131,769		$ 26,343
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Amortization of premiums, discounts, and securities issuance costs, net	(26,165)		(12,803)		(31,851)
Depreciation and amortization of non-financial assets	388		1,873		1,713
Purchases of loans	(7,766,203)		(2,335,865)
Proceeds from sales of loans	7,405,088		1,696,433
Principal payments on loans	19,030		9,904
Net settlements of derivatives	45,447		(22,653)
Provision for loan losses	4,737		3,648		16,151
Non-cash equity award compensation	13,547		9,842		9,108
Market valuation adjustments, net	(95,931)		(14,976)		40,017
Realized gains, net	(36,290)		(75,790)		(10,946)
Net change in:
Accrued interest receivable and other assets	12,001		8,762		(42,348)
Accrued interest payable, deferred tax liabilities, and accrued expenses and other liabilities	29,276		36,509		9,623
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(221,829)		(563,347)		17,810
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Purchases of loans held-for-investment	(65,771)		(156,344)		(960,014)
Proceeds from sales of loans	440	[1]	357,742	[1]	2,092	[1]
Principal payments on loans	523,900		573,646		409,009
Purchases of real estate securities	(488,598)		(358,720)		(128,566)
Proceeds from sales of real estate securities	220,535		201,461		86,254
Principal payments on real estate securities	163,951		218,447		166,134
Purchase of mortgage servicing rights	(3,106)
Net increase in restricted cash	(15)		200		9,537
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	351,336		836,432		(415,554)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Proceeds from borrowings on short-term debt	6,661,464		1,458,341		697,499
Repayments on short-term debt	(6,350,619)		(1,334,479)		(313,580)
Proceeds from issuance of asset-backed securities			174,191		887,974
Repayments on asset-backed securities issued	(584,400)		(683,532)		(492,561)
Deferred securities issuance costs	(9,184)		(4,486)		(4,503)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	336,994
Repayments on long-term debt	(27)
Net settlements of derivatives	(7)		(23,702)		(39,926)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	8,667		39,062		9,116
Net payments on repurchase of common stock					(6,988)
Taxes paid on equity award distributions	(5,861)		(2,298)		(3,103)
Dividends paid	(94,413)		(82,278)		(100,686)
Change in noncontrolling interests					(15,259)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(37,386)		(459,181)		617,983
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	92,121		(186,096)		220,239
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	81,080		267,176		46,937
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	173,201		81,080		267,176
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	85,418		114,908		106,757
Taxes	3,397		312		51
Supplemental Noncash Information:
Real estate securities retained from loan securitizations	392,932		143,885
Retention of mortgage servicing rights from loan securitizations and sales	44,063		7,329
Transfers from loans held-for-investment to loans held-for-sale					393,304
Transfers from residential loans to real estate owned	$ 4,711		$ 8,970		$ 11,258

[1] For the year ended December 31, 2012, the proceeds from sales of loans included in investing activities related to residential loans that were reclassified from loans held-for-investment to loans held-for-sale during the fourth quarter of 2011.