Consolidated Statements of Stockholders Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data		Total	Common Stock	Controlling Interest Treasury Stock Shares	Controlling Interest Additional Paid in Capital	Controlling Interest Retained Earnings	Noncontrolling Interest
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2008		$ 65,626	$ 164	$ 0	$ 26,206	$ 12,756	$ 26,500
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2008			16,446,480	0
Issuance of Class A common stock, net(1), shares	[1]		816,801
Issuance of Class A common stock, net(1)	[1]	2	9		956		(963)
Repurchase of Class A common stock, shares			(80,049)	80,049
Repurchase of Class A common stock		(174)	(1)	(173)
Record the adjustment to give effect of the tax receivable agreement with HFF Holdings		200			200
Stock compensation and other, net		1,136			1,136
Distributions		(1,564)					(1,564)
Net income		1,779				(752)	2,531
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2009		67,005	172	(173)	28,498	12,004	26,504
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2009			17,183,232	80,049
Issuance of Class A common stock, net(1), shares	[1]		17,676,641
Issuance of Class A common stock, net(1)	[1]		176		27,014		(27,190)
Repurchase of Class A common stock, shares			(30,491)	30,491
Repurchase of Class A common stock		(223)		(223)
Record the adjustment to give effect of the tax receivable agreement with HFF Holdings		6,049			6,049
Stock compensation and other, net		924			924
Distributions		(1,061)					(1,061)
Net income		16,989				10,891	6,098
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2010		89,683	348	(396)	62,485	22,895	4,351
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2010			34,829,382	110,540
Issuance of Class A common stock, net(1), shares	[1]		1,162,400
Issuance of Class A common stock, net(1)	[1]		12		(101)		89
Repurchase of Class A common stock, shares			(7,817)	7,817
Repurchase of Class A common stock		(94)		(94)
Record the adjustment to give effect of the tax receivable agreement with HFF Holdings		820			820
Stock compensation and other, net		845			845
Distributions		(2,904)					(2,904)
Net income		42,050				40,019	2,031
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2011		$ 130,400	$ 360	$ (490)	$ 64,049	$ 62,914	$ 3,567
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2011			35,983,965	118,357

[1] Includes the effect of the exchange of the Operating Partnerships units by HFF Holdings and the effect of the timing of the tax distribution payments on the ownership of the Operating Partnerships.