Information on Segments and Reconciliation to Earnings Before Income Taxes from Continuing Operations (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 585,423	$ 593,010
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	60,710	81,042
Assets	1,861,230		1,827,176
Sales and Lease Ownership
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	548,711	551,711
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	55,619	63,825
Assets	1,416,740		1,431,720
HomeSmart
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	17,404	16,937
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(69)	(209)
Assets	47,848		47,970
Franchise
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	18,084	18,200
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	14,558	14,509
Assets	44,174		47,788
Manufacturing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	31,155	27,711
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	547	593
Assets	22,704		24,305
All Other Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	1,898	5,849
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(9,927)	(2,699)
Assets	329,764		275,393
Reportable Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	617,252	620,408
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	60,728	76,019
Elimination of Intersegment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	(30,258)	(27,025)
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(509)	(604)
Cash to Accrual and Other Adjustments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	(1,571)	(373)
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	$ 491	$ 5,627