Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Schedule of Inverse Interest-Only Securities Reconciliation (Details)

v2.4.1.9
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Schedule of Inverse Interest-Only Securities Reconciliation (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]      
Interest Receivable $ 65,529us-gaap_InterestReceivable $ 50,303us-gaap_InterestReceivable  
Derivative, Notional Amount 48,115,523invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount 37,366,610invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount 22,377,656invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
Inverse Interest-Only Securities [Member]      
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]      
Interest Receivable 2,188us-gaap_InterestReceivable
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= two_InverseInterestOnlySecuritiesMember 		2,855us-gaap_InterestReceivable
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= two_InverseInterestOnlySecuritiesMember 		 
Derivative, Notional Amount 1,168,226invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= two_InverseInterestOnlySecuritiesMember 		1,525,845invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= two_InverseInterestOnlySecuritiesMember 		1,909,351invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= two_InverseInterestOnlySecuritiesMember
Derivative, Unamortized Premium 0two_DerivativeUnamortizedPremium
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= two_InverseInterestOnlySecuritiesMember 		0two_DerivativeUnamortizedPremium
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= two_InverseInterestOnlySecuritiesMember 		 
Derivative, Designated Credit Reserve 0two_DerivativeDesignatedCreditReserve
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= two_InverseInterestOnlySecuritiesMember 		0two_DerivativeDesignatedCreditReserve
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= two_InverseInterestOnlySecuritiesMember 		 
Derivative, Net, Unamortized (991,715)two_DerivativeNetUnamortized
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= two_InverseInterestOnlySecuritiesMember 		(1,292,785)two_DerivativeNetUnamortized
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= two_InverseInterestOnlySecuritiesMember 		 
Derivative, Amortized Cost Basis 176,511two_DerivativeAmortizedCostBasis
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= two_InverseInterestOnlySecuritiesMember 		233,060two_DerivativeAmortizedCostBasis
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= two_InverseInterestOnlySecuritiesMember 		 
Derivative, Gross Unrealized Gains 14,162two_DerivativeGrossUnrealizedGains
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= two_InverseInterestOnlySecuritiesMember 		5,891two_DerivativeGrossUnrealizedGains
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= two_InverseInterestOnlySecuritiesMember 		 
Derivative, Gross Unrealized Losses (4,269)two_DerivativeGrossUnrealizedLosses
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= two_InverseInterestOnlySecuritiesMember 		(20,442)two_DerivativeGrossUnrealizedLosses
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= two_InverseInterestOnlySecuritiesMember 		 
Derivative, Carrying Value $ 186,404two_DerivativeCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= two_InverseInterestOnlySecuritiesMember 		$ 218,509two_DerivativeCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= two_InverseInterestOnlySecuritiesMember