Segment Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 586,876	$ 532,665
Earnings Before Income Taxes	115,029	71,919
Sales and Lease Ownership
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	558,023	512,998
Earnings Before Income Taxes	104,552	57,217
Franchise
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	17,505	16,343
Earnings Before Income Taxes	14,166	12,916
HomeSmart
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	12,635	330
Earnings Before Income Taxes	(1,655)	(496)
Manufacturing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	30,228	28,409
Earnings Before Income Taxes	1,104	1,391
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	3,383	2,620
Earnings Before Income Taxes	(271)	1,820
Reportable Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	621,774	560,700
Earnings Before Income Taxes	117,896	72,848
Elimination of Intersegment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	(30,228)	(28,591)
Earnings Before Income Taxes	(1,104)	(1,391)
Cash to Accrual and Other Adjustments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	(4,670)	556
Earnings Before Income Taxes	$ (1,763)	$ 462