Note 5. Franchising and Marketing Activities Franchising and Marketing Activities (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) Brokerage_Offices	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) franchisedandcompanyownedoffices	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($) franchisedandcompanyownedoffices	Dec. 31, 2015 franchisedandcompanyownedoffices	Dec. 31, 2012 franchisedandcompanyownedoffices
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Initial franchise and area development fees | $	$ 8	$ 9	$ 12
Annual volume incentives from Real Estate Franchisees | $	51	$ 50	$ 48
Franchised:
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of offices		12,769	13,032	12,771	12,880
Franchised: | Century 21®
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of offices		6,902	7,109	6,897
Franchised: | ERA®
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of offices		2,304	2,314	2,355
Franchised: | Coldwell Banker®
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of offices		2,396	2,489	2,258
Franchised: | Coldwell Banker Commercial®
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of offices		167	195	163
Franchised: | Sotheby’s International Realty®
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of offices		717	666	794
Franchised: | Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of offices		283	259	304
Company Owned:
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Royalty expense | $	$ 284	$ 269	$ 265
Number of offices	790	727	706	787	712
Company Owned: | ERA®
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of offices		0	11	0
Company Owned: | Coldwell Banker®
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of offices		651	631	708
Company Owned: | Sotheby’s International Realty®
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of offices		39	32	41
Company Owned: | Corcoran Other [Member]
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of offices		37	32	38