Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill by segment and changes in the carrying amount

Goodwill by segment and changes in the carrying amount are as follows:

	Real Estate Franchise Services			Company Owned Brokerage Services			Relocation Services			Title and Settlement Services			Total Company
Goodwill balance at January 1, 2010	2,241			604			344			73			3,262
Goodwill acquired (a)	—			20			16			—			36
Goodwill reduction for locations sold	—			(2		)	—			—			(2		)
Balance at December 31, 2010	2,241			622			360			73			3,296
Goodwill acquired	—			3			—			—			3
Balance at December 31, 2011	2,241			625			360			73			3,299
Goodwill acquired	—			5			—			—			5
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	2,241		$	630		$	360		$	73		$	3,304
Goodwill and accumulated impairment summary
Gross Goodwill	$	3,264		$	788		$	641		$	397		$	5,090
Accumulated impairment losses (b)	(1,023		)	(158		)	(281		)	(324		)	(1,786		)
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	2,241		$	630		$	360		$	73		$	3,304

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(a) The increase in goodwill relates to acquisitions of real estate brokerages and the acquisition of Primacy.

(b) During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $1,557 million, which reduced intangible assets by $278 million and reduced goodwill by $1,279 million. During the fourth quarter of 2007, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $637 million, which reduced intangible assets by $130 million and reduced goodwill by $507 million.

Intangible assets

Intangible assets are as follows:

	As of December 31, 2012						As of December 31, 2011
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount
Amortizable—Franchise agreements (a)	$	2,019	$	390	$	1,629	$	2,019	$	322	$	1,697
Unamortizable—Trademarks (b)	$	732	$	—	$	732	$	732	$	—	$	732
Other Intangibles
Amortizable—License agreements (c)	$	45	$	5	$	40	$	45	$	4	$	41
Amortizable—Customer relationships (d)	529		182		347		529		144		385
Amortizable—Pendings and listings (e)	—		—		—		—		—		—
Unamortizable—Title plant shares (f)	10		—		10		10		—		10
Amortizable—Other (g)	6		4		2		17		14		3
Total Other Intangibles	$	590	$	191	$	399	$	601	$	162	$	439

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(a)    Generally amortized over a period of 30 years.

(b) Relates to the Century 21, Coldwell Banker, ERA, The Corcoran Group, Coldwell Banker Commercial and Cartus tradenames, which are expected to generate future cash flows for an indefinite period of time.

(c) Relates to the Sotheby’s International Realty and Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate agreements which are being amortized over 50 years (the contractual term of the license agreements).

(d) Relates to the customer relationships at the Title and Settlement Services segment and the Relocation Services segment. These relationships are being amortized over a period of 5 to 20 years.

(e) Amortized over the estimated closing period of the underlying contracts (in most cases five months).

(f) Primarily related to the Texas American Title Company title plant shares. Ownership in a title plant is required to transact title insurance in certain states. The Company expects to generate future cash flows for an indefinite period of time.

(g) Generally amortized over periods ranging from 2 to 10 years.

Intangible asset amortization expense

Intangible asset amortization expense is as follows:

	For the Year Ended December 31,
	2012	2011	2010
Franchise agreements	68	67	67
License agreement	1	1	—
Customer relationships	38	37	37
Pendings and listings	—	2	1
Other	1	5	6
Total	108	112	111