Segments - Information on Segments and Reconciliation to Earnings Before Income Taxes from Continuing Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		$ 767,694	$ 698,418	$ 2,358,557	$ 1,946,331
Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes		36,556	13,199	178,740	87,471
Assets		2,335,674		2,335,674		$ 2,456,844
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		789,751	714,458	2,427,292	2,011,702
Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes		34,572	10,698	161,963	85,010
Assets		2,335,674		2,335,674		2,456,844
Operating Segments | Sales and Lease Ownership
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		468,794	481,340	1,479,300	1,525,100
Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes	[1]	30,080	21,415	113,514	109,166
Assets		1,190,224		1,190,224		1,246,325
Operating Segments | Progressive
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		265,986	180,680	773,551	309,539
Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes		5,617	1,689	44,761	1,366
Assets		861,591		861,591		858,159
Operating Segments | HomeSmart
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		15,075	15,445	47,322	48,598
Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes		(403)	(986)	8	(1,717)
Assets		41,939		41,939		47,585
Operating Segments | Franchise
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		15,574	15,838	48,069	50,147
Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes		11,327	12,542	37,218	38,173
Assets		38,971		38,971		46,755
Operating Segments | Manufacturing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		24,014	20,794	78,048	75,692
Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes		349	(17)	2,007	441
Assets	[2]	27,461		27,461		23,050
Operating Segments | Other Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		308	361	1,002	2,626
Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes	[3]	(12,398)	(23,945)	(35,545)	(62,419)
Assets		175,488		175,488		$ 234,970
Intersegment Eliminations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		(23,803)	(20,713)	(76,783)	(74,375)
Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes		(353)	22	(2,019)	(405)
Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		1,746	4,673	8,048	9,004
Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes		$ 2,337	$ 2,479	$ 18,796	$ 2,866

[1] Sales and Lease Ownership segment earnings before income taxes were impacted by $4.8 million of restructuring charges incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, related to the Company's strategic decision to close 44 Company-operated stores, of which $2.6 million was incurred during the three months ended September 30, 2014.

[2] Includes inventory (principally raw materials and work-in-process) that has been classified within lease merchandise in the condensed consolidated balance sheets of $18.4 million and $13.2 million as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

[3] Loss before income taxes in the other category for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was impacted by $9.1 million due to the retirements of both the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer, $4.3 million of restructuring charges related to the closure of 44 Company-operated stores and $1.2 million of regulatory income that reduced previously recognized regulatory expense upon the resolution of the regulatory investigation by the California Attorney General.