Segment information (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	$ 16,058	$ 14,509	$ 25,188	$ 22,307
Depreciation and amortization	3,808	3,812	7,619	7,750
Interest expense	2,301	2,286	5,110	4,752
Interest income	(33)	(66)	(100)	(147)
Provision for income taxes	3,457	3,129	5,605	5,014
EBITDA	25,591	23,670	43,422	39,676
(Gain) loss on sale or disposition of assets and sublease	(664)	(47)	(707)	(225)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt		178	94	178
Non-cash straight-line rent expense	249	270	480	417
Non-recurring severance and other related expenses	588		1,039
Acquisition integration and professional fees expense	(106)	45	77	63
Adjusted EBITDA	25,658	24,116	44,405	40,109
Real Estate Franchise Services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	14,922	14,188	23,894	22,558
Depreciation and amortization	3,733	3,742	7,465	7,610
Interest expense	2,292	2,283	5,085	4,745
Interest income	(33)	(66)	(100)	(147)
Provision for income taxes	3,251	3,073	5,371	5,056
EBITDA	24,165	23,220	41,715	39,822
(Gain) loss on sale or disposition of assets and sublease	(88)	(86)	(171)	(282)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt		178	94	178
Non-cash straight-line rent expense	238	290	512	502
Non-recurring severance and other related expenses	588		1,039
Acquisition integration and professional fees expense	(106)	45	77	63
Adjusted EBITDA	24,797	23,647	43,266	40,283
Brokerages
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	1,136	321	1,294	(251)
Depreciation and amortization	75	70	154	140
Interest expense	9	3	25	7
Provision for income taxes	206	56	234	(42)
EBITDA	1,426	450	1,707	(146)
(Gain) loss on sale or disposition of assets and sublease	(576)	39	(536)	57
Non-cash straight-line rent expense	11	(20)	(32)	(85)
Adjusted EBITDA	$ 861	$ 469	$ 1,139	$ (174)