Non-controlling Interest - Net income reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Minority Interest [Line Items]
Weighted average ownership percentage of controlling interest	58.49%	58.42%	58.47%	58.37%
Weighted average ownership percentage of noncontrolling interest	41.51%	41.58%	41.53%	41.63%
Total (as a percentage)	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Income before provision for income taxes attributable to RE/MAX Holdings, Inc.	$ 11,959	$ 10,900	$ 19,583	$ 18,865
Provision for income taxes attributable to RE/MAX Holdings, Inc.	(4,430)	(3,939)	(7,141)	(6,964)
Net income attributable to RE/MAX Holdings, Inc.	7,529	6,961	12,442	11,901
Income before provision for income taxes: Non-controlling interest	8,440	7,765	13,917	13,455
Provision for income taxes: Non-controlling interest	(332)	(346)	(651)	(580)
Net income: Non-controlling interest	8,108	7,419	13,266	12,875
Income before provision for income taxes	20,399	18,665	33,500	32,320
Provision for income taxes	(4,762)	(4,285)	(7,792)	(7,544)
Net income	$ 15,637	$ 14,380	25,708	$ 24,776
Non-controlling interest
Minority Interest [Line Items]
Net income			$ 13,266