Non-controlling Interest - Net income reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Noncontrolling Interest
Weighted average ownership percentage of controlling interest	58.49%	58.42%	58.47%	58.39%
Weighted average ownership percentage of noncontrolling interest	41.51%	41.58%	41.53%	41.61%
Total (as a percentage)	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Income before provision for income taxes attributable to RE/MAX Holdings, Inc.	$ 6,180	$ 11,025	$ 25,763	$ 29,742
Provision for income taxes attributable to RE/MAX Holdings, Inc.	(2,345)	(4,239)	(9,486)	(11,203)
Net income attributable to RE/MAX Holdings, Inc.	3,835	6,786	16,277	18,539
Income before provision for income taxes: Non-controlling interest	4,448	7,913	18,365	21,263
Provision for income taxes: Non-controlling interest	(746)	(393)	(1,397)	(973)
Net income: Non-controlling interest	3,702	7,520	16,968	20,290
Income before provision for income taxes	10,628	18,938	44,128	51,005
Provision for income taxes	(3,091)	(4,632)	(10,883)	(12,176)
Net income	$ 7,537	$ 14,306	$ 33,245	$ 38,829