Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES CONSOLIDATION Effective January 1, 2010, the Company adopted the FASB’s amended guidance on the consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (“VIE”), in which the Company consolidates any VIE for which it is the primary beneficiary with a controlling financial interest. Also, the Company consolidates an entity not deemed a VIE if its ownership, direct or indirect, exceeds 50% of the outstanding voting shares of an entity and/or that it has the ability to control the financial or operating policies through its voting rights, board representation or other similar rights. For entities where the Company does not have a controlling interest (financial or operating), the investments in such entities are accounted for using the equity or cost method, as appropriate. The Company applies the equity method of accounting when it has the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies of an investee. The Company uses the cost method for all other investments. Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted the FASB’s new guidance on noncontrolling interests which established requirements for ownership interests in subsidiaries held by parties other than the Company (“noncontrolling interest”) be clearly identified, presented and disclosed in the consolidated statement of financial position within equity, but separate from the parent’s equity. The presentation and disclosure requirements in the guidance were applied retrospectively to comparative financial statements. USE OF ESTIMATES In presenting the consolidated financial statements, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and related disclosures. Estimates, by their nature, are based on judgment and available information. Accordingly, actual results could differ materially from those estimates. REVENUE RECOGNITION Real Estate Franchise Services The Company franchises its real estate brokerage franchise systems to real estate brokerage businesses that are independently owned and operated. The Company provides operational and administrative services and systems to franchisees, which include national and local marketing programs, systems and tools that are designed to help the Company's franchisees serve their customers and attract new or retain existing independent sales associates, training and volume purchasing discounts through the Company’s preferred vendor program. Franchise revenue principally consists of royalty and marketing fees from the Company’s franchisees. The royalty received is primarily based on a percentage of the franchisee’s gross commission income. Royalty fees are accrued as the underlying franchisee revenue is earned (upon close of the homesale transaction). Annual volume incentives given to certain franchisees on royalty fees are recorded as a reduction to revenue and are accrued for in relative proportion to the recognition of the underlying gross franchise revenue. Franchise revenue also includes initial franchise fees, which are generally non-refundable and recognized by the Company as revenue when all material services or conditions relating to the sale have been substantially performed (generally when a franchised unit opens for business). The Company also earns marketing fees from its franchisees and utilizes such fees to fund marketing campaigns on behalf of its franchisees. Company Owned Real Estate Brokerage Services As an owner-operator of real estate brokerages, the Company assists home buyers and sellers in listing, marketing, selling and finding homes. Real estate commissions earned by the Company’s real estate brokerage business are recorded as revenue on a gross basis upon the closing of a real estate transaction (i.e., purchase or sale of a home), which are referred to as gross commission income. The commissions the Company pays to real estate agents are recognized concurrently with associated revenues and presented as commission and other agent-related costs line item on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. Relocation Services The Company provides relocation services to corporate and government clients for the transfer of their employees. Such services include the purchasing and/or selling of a transferee’s home, providing home equity advances to transferees (generally guaranteed by the client), expense processing, arranging household goods moving services, home-finding and other related services. The Company earns revenues from fees charged to clients for the performance and/or facilitation of these services and recognizes such revenue as services are provided, except for limited instances in which the Company assumes the risk of loss on the sale of a transferring employee’s home (“at-risk”). In such cases, revenues are recorded as earned with associated costs recorded within operating expenses. In the majority of relocation transactions, the gain or loss on the sale of a transferee’s home is generally borne by the client. However, there are limited instances in which the Company assumes the risk of loss. Under “at-risk” contracts, the Company records the value of the home on its Consolidated Balance Sheets within the relocation properties held for sale line item at the lower of cost or net realizable value less estimated direct costs to sell. The difference between the actual purchase price and proceeds received on the sale of the home is recorded within operating expenses on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and the gain or loss was not material for any period presented. The aggregate selling price of such homes was $81 million, $123 million and $170 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The Company also earns referral revenue from real estate brokers, which is recognized at the time the underlying property closes, and revenues from other third-party service providers where the Company earns a referral fee or commission, which is recognized at the time of completion of services. Additionally, the Company generally earns interest income on the funds it advances on behalf of the transferring employee, which is recorded within other revenue (as is the corresponding interest expense on the securitization obligations) in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. Title and Settlement Services The Company provides title and closing services, which include title search procedures for title insurance policies, homesale escrow and other closing services. Title revenues, which are recorded net of amounts remitted to third party insurance underwriters, and title and closing service fees are recorded at the time a homesale transaction or refinancing closes. The Company also owns an underwriter of title insurance. For independent title agents, the underwriter recognizes policy premium revenue on a gross basis (before deduction of agent commission) upon notice of policy issuance from the agent. For affiliated title agents, the underwriter recognizes the incremental policy premium revenue upon the effective date of the title policy as the agent commission revenue is already recognized by the affiliated title agent. ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS The Company estimates the allowance necessary to provide for uncollectible accounts receivable. The estimate is based on historical experience, combined with a review of current developments and includes specific accounts for which payment has become unlikely. The process by which the Company calculates the allowance begins in the individual business units where specific problem accounts are identified and reserved primarily based upon the age profile of the receivables and specific payment issues. ADVERTISING EXPENSES Advertising costs are generally expensed in the period incurred. Advertising expenses, recorded within the marketing expense line item on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations, were approximately $166 million, $164 million and $156 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. INCOME TAXES The Company’s provision for income taxes is determined using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are calculated based upon the temporary differences between the financial statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities using currently enacted tax rates. These differences are based upon estimated differences between the book and tax basis of the assets and liabilities for the Company. Certain tax assets and liabilities of the Company may be adjusted in connection with the finalization of income tax audits. The Company’s deferred tax assets are recorded net of a valuation allowance when, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the recorded deferred tax balances will not be realized in future periods. Decreases to the valuation allowance are recorded as reductions to the Company’s provision for income taxes and increases to the valuation allowance result in additional provision for income taxes. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS The Company considers highly-liquid investments with remaining maturities not exceeding three months at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. RESTRICTED CASH Restricted cash primarily relates to amounts specifically designated as collateral for the repayment of outstanding borrowings under the Company’s securitization facilities. Such amounts approximated $9 million and $7 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively and are primarily included within Other current assets on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS The Company records derivatives and hedging activities on the balance sheet at their respective fair values. The accounting for changes in the fair value (i.e., gains or losses) of a derivative instrument is dependent upon whether the derivative has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship. The Company uses foreign currency forward contracts largely to manage its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates associated with its foreign currency denominated receivables and payables. The Company primarily manages its foreign currency exposure to the Swiss Franc, Canadian Dollar, British Pound and Euro. The Company has elected to not utilize hedge accounting for these forward contracts; therefore, any change in fair value is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. However, the fluctuations in the value of these forward contracts generally offset the impact of changes in the value of the underlying risk that they are intended to economically hedge. The Company also enters into interest rate swaps to manage its exposure to changes in interest rates associated with its variable rate borrowings. The Company has two interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional value of $425 million to hedge the variability in cash flows resulting from the term loan facility. The first swap, with a notional value of $225 million, commenced in July 2012 and expires in October 2016, and the second swap, with a notional value of $200 million, commences in January 2013 and expires in October 2016. The Company is utilizing pay fixed interest swaps (in exchange for floating LIBOR rate based payments) to perform this hedging strategy. As of December 31, 2012, the Company has elected to not utilize hedge accounting for these interest rate swaps; therefore, any change in fair value is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. INVESTMENTS At December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company had various equity method investments aggregating $73 million and $54 million, respectively, which are primarily recorded within Other non-current assets on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Included in such investments is a 49.9% interest in PHH Home Loans, a mortgage origination venture formed in 2005. This venture enables the Company to participate in the earnings generated from mortgages originated by customers of its real estate brokerage and relocation businesses. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss with respect to its investment in PHH Home Loans is limited to its equity investment of $66 million at December 31, 2012. See Note 13, “Separation Adjustments, Transactions with Former Parent and Subsidiaries and Related Parties” for a more detailed description of the Company’s relationship with PHH Home Loans. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT Property and equipment (including leasehold improvements) are initially recorded at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation, recorded as a component of depreciation and amortization on the Consolidated Statements of Operations, is computed utilizing the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Amortization of leasehold improvements, also recorded as a component of depreciation and amortization, is computed utilizing the straight-line method over the estimated benefit period of the related assets or the lease term, if shorter. Useful lives are 30 years for buildings, up to 20 years for leasehold improvements, and from 3 to 7 years for furniture, fixtures and equipment. The Company capitalizes the costs of software developed for internal use which commences during the development phase of the project. The Company amortizes software developed or obtained for internal use on a straight-line basis, from 3 to 10 years, when such software is substantially ready for use. The net carrying value of software developed or obtained for internal use was $68 million and $67 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. IMPAIRMENT OF GOODWILL, INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND OTHER LONG-LIVED ASSETS The Company assesses goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually, or more frequently if circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred. The Company performs its required annual impairment testing in the fourth quarter of each year subsequent to completing its annual forecasting process. Each of the Company’s operating segments represents a reporting unit. The Company assesses goodwill for impairment by first comparing the carrying value of each reporting unit to its fair value using the present value of expected future cash flows. If the fair value is less than the carrying value, then the Company would perform a second test for that reporting unit to determine the amount of impairment loss, if any. The Company determines the fair value of its reporting units utilizing the Company’s best estimate of future revenues, operating expenses, cash flows, market and general economic conditions as well as assumptions that it believes marketplace participants would utilize, including discount rates, cost of capital, and long term growth rates. When available and as appropriate, the Company uses comparative market multiples and other factors to corroborate the discounted cash flow results. Other indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment and written down to fair value. During the fourth quarter of 2012, 2011 and 2010, the Company performed its annual impairment analysis of goodwill and unamortized intangible assets. Based upon the analysis performed, there was no impairment. Management evaluated the effect of lowering the estimated fair value for each of the reporting units by 10% and determined that no impairment of goodwill would have been recognized under this evaluation for 2012, 2011 or 2010. The Company evaluates the recoverability of its other long-lived assets, including amortizable intangible assets, if circumstances indicate an impairment may have occurred. This analysis is performed by comparing the respective carrying values of the assets to the current and expected future cash flows, on an undiscounted basis, to be generated from such assets. Property and equipment is evaluated separately within each business unit. If such analysis indicates that the carrying value of these assets is not recoverable, then the carrying value of such assets is reduced to fair value through a charge to the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. There were no impairments relating to other long-lived assets, including amortizable intangible assets, during 2012, 2011 or 2010. SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION Significant non-cash transactions in 2012 included non-cash issuances of common stock of $2,366 million related to the conversion of the Convertible Notes and $12 million for a portion of our 2012 Bonus Plan that was paid in common stock (see Note 12---Stock-Based Compensation). In addition, during 2012, the Company recorded $21 million related to tenant improvements on our new corporate headquarters which resulted in non-cash accruals to fixed assets and deferred rent. Significant non-cash transactions in 2011 and 2010 included the Company’s election to satisfy the interest payment obligation by issuing $3 million and $51 million, respectively, of Senior Toggle Notes which resulted in non-cash transfers between accrued interest and long-term debt. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of time vested stock options and a lattice based valuation model to estimate the fair value of performance based awards on the date of grant which requires certain estimates by management including the expected volatility and expected term of the option. Management also makes decisions regarding the risk-free interest rate used in the models and makes estimates regarding forfeiture rates. Fluctuations in the market that affect these estimates could have an impact on the resulting compensation cost. For non-performance based employee stock awards, the fair value of the compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award. Compensation cost for restricted stock (non-vested stock) is recorded based on its market value on the date of grant and is expensed in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations ratably over the vesting period. RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS In September 2011, the FASB amended the guidance on testing for goodwill impairment that allows an entity to elect to qualitatively assess whether it is necessary to perform the current two-step goodwill impairment test. If the qualitative assessment determines that it is not more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then performing the two-step test is unnecessary. If the entity elects to bypass the qualitative assessment for any reporting unit and proceed directly to Step One of the test and validate the conclusion by measuring fair value, it can resume performing the qualitative assessment in any subsequent period. The amendments are effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company did not utilize the new qualitative analysis for its goodwill impairment test which was performed in the fourth quarter of 2012. In May 2011, the FASB amended the guidance on Fair Value Measurement that result in common measurement of fair value and disclosure requirements between U.S. GAAP and the International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). The amendments mainly change the wording used to describe many of the requirements in U.S. GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements. The amendments are effective prospectively for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company adopted the amendments on January 1, 2012 and the adoption did not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements. RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS In July 2012, the FASB amended the guidance on impairment testing for indefinite-lived intangible assets that allows an entity to elect to qualitatively assess whether it is necessary to perform the current two-step impairment test. If the qualitative assessment determines that it is not more-likely-than-not that the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount, then performing the two-step test is unnecessary. If the entity elects to bypass the qualitative assessment for any indefinite-lived intangible asset and proceed directly to Step One of the test and validate the conclusion by measuring fair value, it can resume performing the qualitative assessment in any subsequent period. The amendments are effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012, however early adoption is permitted. The Company will consider utilizing the new qualitative analysis for its impairment test to be performed in the fourth quarter of 2013.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

CONSOLIDATION

Effective January 1, 2010, the Company adopted the FASB’s amended guidance on the consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (“VIE”), in which the Company consolidates any VIE for which it is the primary beneficiary with a controlling financial interest. Also, the Company consolidates an entity not deemed a VIE if its ownership, direct or indirect, exceeds 50% of the outstanding voting shares of an entity and/or that it has the ability to control the financial or operating policies through its voting rights, board representation or other similar rights. For entities where the Company does not have a controlling interest (financial or operating), the investments in such entities are accounted for using the equity or cost method, as appropriate. The Company applies the equity method of accounting when it has the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies of an investee. The Company uses the cost method for all other investments.

Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted the FASB’s new guidance on noncontrolling interests which established requirements for ownership interests in subsidiaries held by parties other than the Company (“noncontrolling interest”) be clearly identified, presented and disclosed in the consolidated statement of financial position within equity, but separate from the parent’s equity. The presentation and disclosure requirements in the guidance were applied retrospectively to comparative financial statements.

USE OF ESTIMATES

In presenting the consolidated financial statements, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and related disclosures. Estimates, by their nature, are based on judgment and available information. Accordingly, actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

REVENUE RECOGNITION

Real Estate Franchise Services

The Company franchises its real estate brokerage franchise systems to real estate brokerage businesses that are independently owned and operated. The Company provides operational and administrative services and systems to franchisees, which include national and local marketing programs, systems and tools that are designed to help the Company's franchisees serve their customers and attract new or retain existing independent sales associates, training and volume purchasing discounts through the Company’s preferred vendor program. Franchise revenue principally consists of royalty and marketing fees from the Company’s franchisees. The royalty received is primarily based on a percentage of the franchisee’s gross commission income. Royalty fees are accrued as the underlying franchisee revenue is earned (upon close of the homesale transaction). Annual volume incentives given to certain franchisees on royalty fees are recorded as a reduction to revenue and are accrued for in relative proportion to the recognition of the underlying gross franchise revenue. Franchise revenue also includes initial franchise fees, which are generally non-refundable and recognized by the Company as revenue when all material services or conditions relating to the sale have been substantially performed (generally when a franchised unit opens for business). The Company also earns marketing fees from its franchisees and utilizes such fees to fund marketing campaigns on behalf of its franchisees.

Company Owned Real Estate Brokerage Services

As an owner-operator of real estate brokerages, the Company assists home buyers and sellers in listing, marketing, selling and finding homes. Real estate commissions earned by the Company’s real estate brokerage business are recorded as revenue on a gross basis upon the closing of a real estate transaction (i.e., purchase or sale of a home), which are referred to as gross commission income. The commissions the Company pays to real estate agents are recognized concurrently with associated revenues and presented as commission and other agent-related costs line item on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Relocation Services

The Company provides relocation services to corporate and government clients for the transfer of their employees. Such services include the purchasing and/or selling of a transferee’s home, providing home equity advances to transferees (generally guaranteed by the client), expense processing, arranging household goods moving services, home-finding and other related services. The Company earns revenues from fees charged to clients for the performance and/or facilitation of these services and recognizes such revenue as services are provided, except for limited instances in which the Company assumes the risk of loss on the sale of a transferring employee’s home (“at-risk”). In such cases, revenues are recorded as earned with associated costs recorded within operating expenses. In the majority of relocation transactions, the gain or loss on the sale of a transferee’s home is generally borne by the client. However, there are limited instances in which the Company assumes the risk of loss. Under “at-risk” contracts, the Company records the value of the home on its Consolidated Balance Sheets within the relocation properties held for sale line item at the lower of cost or net realizable value less estimated direct costs to sell. The difference between the actual purchase price and proceeds received on the sale of the home is recorded within operating expenses on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and the gain or loss was not material for any period presented. The aggregate selling price of such homes was $81 million, $123 million and $170 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

The Company also earns referral revenue from real estate brokers, which is recognized at the time the underlying property closes, and revenues from other third-party service providers where the Company earns a referral fee or commission, which is recognized at the time of completion of services. Additionally, the Company generally earns interest income on the funds it advances on behalf of the transferring employee, which is recorded within other revenue (as is the corresponding interest expense on the securitization obligations) in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Title and Settlement Services

The Company provides title and closing services, which include title search procedures for title insurance policies, homesale escrow and other closing services. Title revenues, which are recorded net of amounts remitted to third party insurance underwriters, and title and closing service fees are recorded at the time a homesale transaction or refinancing closes. The Company also owns an underwriter of title insurance. For independent title agents, the underwriter recognizes policy premium revenue on a gross basis (before deduction of agent commission) upon notice of policy issuance from the agent. For affiliated title agents, the underwriter recognizes the incremental policy premium revenue upon the effective date of the title policy as the agent commission revenue is already recognized by the affiliated title agent.

ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS

The Company estimates the allowance necessary to provide for uncollectible accounts receivable. The estimate is based on historical experience, combined with a review of current developments and includes specific accounts for which payment has become unlikely. The process by which the Company calculates the allowance begins in the individual business units where specific problem accounts are identified and reserved primarily based upon the age profile of the receivables and specific payment issues.

ADVERTISING EXPENSES

Advertising costs are generally expensed in the period incurred. Advertising expenses, recorded within the marketing expense line item on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations, were approximately $166 million, $164 million and $156 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

INCOME TAXES

The Company’s provision for income taxes is determined using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are calculated based upon the temporary differences between the financial statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities using currently enacted tax rates. These differences are based upon estimated differences between the book and tax basis of the assets and liabilities for the Company. Certain tax assets and liabilities of the Company may be adjusted in connection with the finalization of income tax audits.

The Company’s deferred tax assets are recorded net of a valuation allowance when, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the recorded deferred tax balances will not be realized in future periods. Decreases to the valuation allowance are recorded as reductions to the Company’s provision for income taxes and increases to the valuation allowance result in additional provision for income taxes.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

The Company considers highly-liquid investments with remaining maturities not exceeding three months at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.

RESTRICTED CASH

Restricted cash primarily relates to amounts specifically designated as collateral for the repayment of outstanding borrowings under the Company’s securitization facilities. Such amounts approximated $9 million and $7 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively and are primarily included within Other current assets on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

The Company records derivatives and hedging activities on the balance sheet at their respective fair values. The accounting for changes in the fair value (i.e., gains or losses) of a derivative instrument is dependent upon whether the derivative has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship.

The Company uses foreign currency forward contracts largely to manage its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates associated with its foreign currency denominated receivables and payables. The Company primarily manages its foreign currency exposure to the Swiss Franc, Canadian Dollar, British Pound and Euro. The Company has elected to not utilize hedge accounting for these forward contracts; therefore, any change in fair value is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. However, the fluctuations in the value of these forward contracts generally offset the impact of changes in the value of the underlying risk that they are intended to economically hedge.

The Company also enters into interest rate swaps to manage its exposure to changes in interest rates associated with its variable rate borrowings. The Company has two interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional value of $425 million to hedge the variability in cash flows resulting from the term loan facility. The first swap, with a notional value of $225 million, commenced in July 2012 and expires in October 2016, and the second swap, with a notional value of $200 million, commences in January 2013 and expires in October 2016. The Company is utilizing pay fixed interest swaps (in exchange for floating LIBOR rate based payments) to perform this hedging strategy. As of December 31, 2012, the Company has elected to not utilize hedge accounting for these interest rate swaps; therefore, any change in fair value is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

INVESTMENTS

At December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company had various equity method investments aggregating $73 million and $54 million, respectively, which are primarily recorded within Other non-current assets on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Included in such investments is a 49.9% interest in PHH Home Loans, a mortgage origination venture formed in 2005. This venture enables the Company to participate in the earnings generated from mortgages originated by customers of its real estate brokerage and relocation businesses. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss with respect to its investment in PHH Home Loans is limited to its equity investment of $66 million at December 31, 2012. See Note 13, “Separation Adjustments, Transactions with Former Parent and Subsidiaries and Related Parties” for a more detailed description of the Company’s relationship with PHH Home Loans.

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment (including leasehold improvements) are initially recorded at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation, recorded as a component of depreciation and amortization on the Consolidated Statements of Operations, is computed utilizing the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Amortization of leasehold improvements, also recorded as a component of depreciation and amortization, is computed utilizing the straight-line method over the estimated benefit period of the related assets or the lease term, if shorter. Useful lives are 30 years for buildings, up to 20 years for leasehold improvements, and from 3 to 7 years for furniture, fixtures and equipment.

The Company capitalizes the costs of software developed for internal use which commences during the development phase of the project. The Company amortizes software developed or obtained for internal use on a straight-line basis, from 3 to 10 years, when such software is substantially ready for use. The net carrying value of software developed or obtained for internal use was $68 million and $67 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

IMPAIRMENT OF GOODWILL, INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND OTHER LONG-LIVED ASSETS

The Company assesses goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually, or more frequently if circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred. The Company performs its required annual impairment testing in the fourth quarter of each year subsequent to completing its annual forecasting process. Each of the Company’s operating segments represents a reporting unit.

The Company assesses goodwill for impairment by first comparing the carrying value of each reporting unit to its fair value using the present value of expected future cash flows. If the fair value is less than the carrying value, then the Company would perform a second test for that reporting unit to determine the amount of impairment loss, if any. The Company determines the fair value of its reporting units utilizing the Company’s best estimate of future revenues, operating expenses, cash flows, market and general economic conditions as well as assumptions that it believes marketplace participants would utilize, including discount rates, cost of capital, and long term growth rates. When available and as appropriate, the Company uses comparative market multiples and other factors to corroborate the discounted cash flow results. Other indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment and written down to fair value.

During the fourth quarter of 2012, 2011 and 2010, the Company performed its annual impairment analysis of goodwill and unamortized intangible assets. Based upon the analysis performed, there was no impairment. Management evaluated the effect of lowering the estimated fair value for each of the reporting units by 10% and determined that no impairment of goodwill would have been recognized under this evaluation for 2012, 2011 or 2010.

The Company evaluates the recoverability of its other long-lived assets, including amortizable intangible assets, if circumstances indicate an impairment may have occurred. This analysis is performed by comparing the respective carrying values of the assets to the current and expected future cash flows, on an undiscounted basis, to be generated from such assets. Property and equipment is evaluated separately within each business unit. If such analysis indicates that the carrying value of these assets is not recoverable, then the carrying value of such assets is reduced to fair value through a charge to the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. There were no impairments relating to other long-lived assets, including amortizable intangible assets, during 2012, 2011 or 2010.

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

Significant non-cash transactions in 2012 included non-cash issuances of common stock of $2,366 million related to the conversion of the Convertible Notes and $12 million for a portion of our 2012 Bonus Plan that was paid in common stock (see Note 12---Stock-Based Compensation). In addition, during 2012, the Company recorded $21 million related to tenant improvements on our new corporate headquarters which resulted in non-cash accruals to fixed assets and deferred rent.

Significant non-cash transactions in 2011 and 2010 included the Company’s election to satisfy the interest payment obligation by issuing $3 million and $51 million, respectively, of Senior Toggle Notes which resulted in non-cash transfers between accrued interest and long-term debt.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of time vested stock options and a lattice based valuation model to estimate the fair value of performance based awards on the date of grant which requires certain estimates by management including the expected volatility and expected term of the option. Management also makes decisions regarding the risk-free interest rate used in the models and makes estimates regarding forfeiture rates. Fluctuations in the market that affect these estimates could have an impact on the resulting compensation cost. For non-performance based employee stock awards, the fair value of the compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award. Compensation cost for restricted stock (non-vested stock) is recorded based on its market value on the date of grant and is expensed in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations ratably over the vesting period.

RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In September 2011, the FASB amended the guidance on testing for goodwill impairment that allows an entity to elect to qualitatively assess whether it is necessary to perform the current two-step goodwill impairment test. If the qualitative assessment determines that it is not more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then performing the two-step test is unnecessary. If the entity elects to bypass the qualitative assessment for any reporting unit and proceed directly to Step One of the test and validate the conclusion by measuring fair value, it can resume performing the qualitative assessment in any subsequent period. The amendments are effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company did not utilize the new qualitative analysis for its goodwill impairment test which was performed in the fourth quarter of 2012.

In May 2011, the FASB amended the guidance on Fair Value Measurement that result in common measurement of fair value and disclosure requirements between U.S. GAAP and the International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). The amendments mainly change the wording used to describe many of the requirements in U.S. GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements. The amendments are effective prospectively for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company adopted the amendments on January 1, 2012 and the adoption did not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements.

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In July 2012, the FASB amended the guidance on impairment testing for indefinite-lived intangible assets that allows an entity to elect to qualitatively assess whether it is necessary to perform the current two-step impairment test. If the qualitative assessment determines that it is not more-likely-than-not that the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount, then performing the two-step test is unnecessary. If the entity elects to bypass the qualitative assessment for any indefinite-lived intangible asset and proceed directly to Step One of the test and validate the conclusion by measuring fair value, it can resume performing the qualitative assessment in any subsequent period. The amendments are effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012, however early adoption is permitted. The Company will consider utilizing the new qualitative analysis for its impairment test to be performed in the fourth quarter of 2013.