Revenue - Disaggregated revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	$ 54,866	$ 49,071	$ 161,785	$ 145,204
Owned Regions
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	35,138	31,616	102,193	93,165
Independent Regions
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	11,904	11,598	34,747	33,462
Global and Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	5,408	5,694	19,214	18,332
RE/MAX Franchising
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	52,450	48,908	156,154	144,959
Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	2,416	163	5,631	245
U.S.
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	40,872	36,615	118,794	109,054
Canada
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	6,170	6,599	18,146	17,573
Global and Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	$ 5,408	$ 5,694	$ 19,214	$ 18,332