Non-controlling Interest - Provision for income taxes reconciliation (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Minority Interest [Line Items]
Provision for income taxes attributable to RE/MAX Holdings, Inc.									$ (14,050,000)	$ (10,142,000)	$ (7,903,000)
Provision for income taxes attributable to noncontrolling interest									(1,223,000)	(1,888,000)	(2,045,000)
Provision for income tax expense	$ (3,097,000)	$ (4,632,000)	$ (4,285,000)	$ (3,259,000)	$ (3,148,000)	$ (3,277,000)	$ (3,457,000)	$ (2,148,000)	(15,273,000)	(12,030,000)	(9,948,000)
Parent share of Subsidiary Tax Liability
Minority Interest [Line Items]
Provision for income tax expense									$ 1,676,000	$ 1,280,000	$ 1,339,000