Segment information - Selected Statement of Operations and Comprehensive (Loss) Earnings Information Related to Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 508,097	$ 536,835	$ 1,348,511	$ 1,477,768
Depreciation and amortization	6,621	4,142	16,070	12,721
Earnings (loss) before taxes and noncontrolling interests	42,820	29,590	35,771	85,599
Operating Segments \| Title
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	440,513	504,276	1,210,740	1,369,510
Depreciation and amortization	1,526	1,461	4,340	4,517
Earnings (loss) before taxes and noncontrolling interests	74,921	60,320	138,372	162,455
Operating Segments \| Mortgage Services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	63,114	28,017	124,846	99,141
Depreciation and amortization	3,149	1,022	6,128	2,819
Earnings (loss) before taxes and noncontrolling interests	3,423	(22)	(432)	16,321
Operating Segments \| Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	4,470	4,542	12,925	9,117
Depreciation and amortization	1,946	1,659	5,602	5,385
Earnings (loss) before taxes and noncontrolling interests	(35,524)	(30,708)	(102,169)	(93,177)
Intersegment Eliminations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	3,294	2,879	8,593	8,263
Intersegment Eliminations \| Mortgage Services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	2,561	2,089	6,435	5,891
Intersegment Eliminations \| Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 733	$ 790	$ 2,158	$ 2,372

The current period expense charged against earnings on long-lived, physical assets not used in production, and which are not intended for resale, to allocate or recognize the cost of such assets over their useful lives; or to record the reduction in book value of an intangible asset over the benefit period of such asset; or to reflect consumption during the period of an asset that is not used in production.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 360

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

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- Definition

This element represents the income or loss from continuing operations attributable to the economic entity which may also be defined as revenue less expenses from ongoing operations, after income or loss from equity method investments, but before income taxes, extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 10

-Article 5

+ Details

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- Definition

Amount of revenue recognized from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an earning process. Includes, but is not limited to, investment and interest income before deduction of interest expense when recognized as a component of revenue, and sales and trading gain (loss).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 1

-Article 5

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