Segment Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 539,515	$ 482,700	$ 1,126,391	$ 1,015,365
Earnings Before Income Taxes	58,590	17,627	173,619	89,546
Sales and Lease Ownership
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	503,010	459,796	1,061,033	972,794
Earnings Before Income Taxes	47,675	2,234	152,227	59,451
Franchise
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	16,142	15,176	33,647	31,519
Earnings Before Income Taxes	12,554	11,846	26,720	24,762
HomeSmart
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	13,582	657	26,217	987
Earnings Before Income Taxes	(1,618)	(1,130)	(3,273)	(1,626)
Manufacturing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	21,866	20,713	52,094	49,122
Earnings Before Income Taxes	(578)	(73)	526	1,318
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	2,112	2,362	5,495	4,982
Earnings Before Income Taxes	(6,176)	663	(6,447)	2,483
Reportable Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	556,712	498,704	1,178,486	1,059,404
Earnings Before Income Taxes	51,857	13,540	169,753	86,388
Elimination of Intersegment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	(21,866)	(20,905)	(52,094)	(49,496)
Earnings Before Income Taxes	578	73	(526)	(1,318)
Cash to Accrual and Other Adjustments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	4,669	4,901	(1)	5,457
Earnings Before Income Taxes	$ 6,155	$ 4,014	$ 4,392	$ 4,476