Segment Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 529,510	$ 484,731	$ 1,654,125	$ 1,499,626
Earnings Before Income Taxes	46,044	45,092	219,663	134,638
Sales and Lease Ownership
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	488,233	467,307	1,549,096	1,439,936
Earnings Before Income Taxes	38,061	39,523	190,287	98,974
HomeSmart
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	14,167	5,760	40,384	6,747
Earnings Before Income Taxes	(1,949)	(2,594)	(5,222)	(4,220)
Franchise
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	15,981	15,889	49,628	47,408
Earnings Before Income Taxes	12,417	12,431	39,137	37,193
Manufacturing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	20,030	17,178	72,124	66,300
Earnings Before Income Taxes	53	687	579	2,005
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	2,377	1,121	6,266	5,424
Earnings Before Income Taxes	(10,730)	857	(12,787)	2,698
Reportable Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	540,788	507,255	1,717,498	1,565,815
Earnings Before Income Taxes	37,852	50,904	211,994	136,650
Elimination of Intersegment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	(20,030)	(17,178)	(72,124)	(66,300)
Earnings Before Income Taxes	(53)	(687)	(579)	(2,005)
Cash to Accrual and Other Adjustments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	8,752	(5,346)	8,751	111
Earnings Before Income Taxes	$ 8,245	$ (5,125)	$ 8,248	$ (7)