Notes Payable, Long-Term Debt and Other Obligations (Notes Payable Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)				12 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2021	Nov. 18, 2019	Nov. 02, 2018	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Feb. 01, 2021	Jan. 31, 2019	Jan. 15, 2019	Jan. 27, 2017	Mar. 24, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loss on extinguishment of debt				$ 21,362,000	$ 0	$ 4,301,000
Other costs and non-cash interest expense				28,803,000	21,247,000
Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Equity method ownership percentage			100.00%
6.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate							6.125%
Principal amount										$ 850,000,000
Loss on extinguishment of debt				21,362,000
Premium				13,014,000
Other costs and non-cash interest expense				$ 8,348,000
5.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2029
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	$ 875,000,000
Net proceeds from issuance of debt	$ 855,500,000
5.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2029 | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	5.75%
10.5% Senior Notes due 2026 | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate				10.50%
Principal amount		$ 230,000,000	$ 325,000,000
Other costs and non-cash interest expense				$ 2,647,000	$ 3,040,000
Net proceeds from issuance of debt		$ 220,400,000	$ 315,000,000
Notes payable, long-term debt and other obligations, less current portion				$ 555,000,000
5.5% Convertible Notes | Variable Interest Senior Convertible Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate				5.50%
Principal amount											$ 258,750,000
Notes payable, long-term debt and other obligations, less current portion				$ 169,610,000
7.5% Convertible Notes | Variable Interest Senior Convertible Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate				7.50%					7.50%
Principal amount								$ 230,000,000