Commercial Loans Held-For-Investment at Amortized Cost (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Commercial Loans [Line Items]
Carrying Value	$ 566,927	$ 432,455	$ 313,010
Commercial Loans Held-for-Investment, at Amortized Cost
Commercial Loans [Line Items]
Principal balance	341,750	353,331
Unamortized discount, net	(4,862)	(2,614)
Recorded investment	336,888	350,717
Allowance for loan losses	(7,457)	(7,373)
Carrying Value	$ 329,431	$ 343,344

Name:	rwt_CommercialLoansLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	rwt_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The allowance for commercial loan and lease losses represents the reserve to cover probable credit losses related to specifically identified commercial loans and leases, as well as probable credit losses inherent in the remainder of the commercial loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date. For banks, include currently required allocated transfer risk reserves. Include carryover of or adjustments to the allowance for commercial loan losses in connection with business combinations determined to be appropriate.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.7(d))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 7

-Subparagraph d

-Article 9

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 11B

-Subparagraph (g)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35738203&loc=SL6953423-111524

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 6

-Section L

-Subsection 1

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 40

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25495931&loc=d3e18832-111554

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27010918&loc=d3e74567-122707

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 40

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25495931&loc=d3e18805-111554

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableCommercialAllowance
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Reflects the aggregate gross carrying amount of all commercial loans and leases held in portfolio, prior to deducting deferred income and the allowance for losses on commercial loans and leases.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35738203&loc=d3e5074-111524

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28367877&loc=d3e4428-111522

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35738203&loc=d3e5066-111524

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableGrossCarryingAmountCommercial
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount after allowance and deduction of deferred interest and fees, unamortized costs and premiums and discounts from face amounts, of commercial loans and leases receivable including, but not limited to, commercial and industrial loans, agricultural loans, mortgage loans, promissory notes, interbank and other loans to financial institutions, draws against credit facilities, trade financing, lease financings. Excludes loans and leases covered under loss sharing agreements.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmountCommercial
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Net amount of the investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, credit card receivables, notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets. Excludes trade accounts receivable with contractual maturity of one year or less and arose from the sale of goods or services.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 3

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NotesReceivableNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Reflects the cumulative amount of fees paid by commercial borrowers which have not yet been taken into income and unamortized costs incurred to originate commercial loans and leases, unamortized commercial loan commitments and commercial loan syndication fees, and premiums over or discounts from face amounts of commercial loans that are being amortized into income as an adjustment to yield.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 20

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6378536&loc=d3e10092-111533

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_UnamortizedLoanCommitmentAndOriginationFeesAndUnamortizedDiscountsOrPremiumsCommercial
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis=rwt_CommercialLoansHeldForInvestmentAtAmortizedCostMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: