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, 2013		Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 595,141		$ 585,996
Earnings Before Income Taxes	81,042		115,029
Assets	1,861,826			1,812,929
Sales and Lease Ownership
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	552,225		553,635
Earnings Before Income Taxes	63,620		104,276
Assets	1,444,990			1,410,075
HomeSmart
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	16,937		12,635
Earnings Before Income Taxes	(209)		(1,655)
Assets	55,789			58,347
RIMCO
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	5,433		4,307
Earnings Before Income Taxes	294		277
Assets	12,184			11,737
Franchise
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	18,200		17,505
Earnings Before Income Taxes	14,509		14,166
Assets	44,943			53,820
Manufacturing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	27,711		30,228
Earnings Before Income Taxes	593		1,104
Assets	27,255	[1]		24,787	[1]
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	2,304		2,584
Earnings Before Income Taxes	(2,788)		1,426
Assets	276,665			254,163
Reportable Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	622,810		620,894
Earnings Before Income Taxes	76,019		119,594
Elimination of Intersegment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	(27,025)		(30,228)
Earnings Before Income Taxes	(604)		(1,104)
Cash to Accrual and Other Adjustments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	(644)		(4,670)
Earnings Before Income Taxes	$ 5,627		$ (3,461)

[1] Includes inventory (principally raw materials and work-in-progress) that has been classified within lease merchandise in the consolidated balance sheets of $17.7 million and $14.1 million as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.