Non-controlling Interest - Net income reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Minority Interest [Line Items]
Weighted average ownership percentage of controlling interest									58.55%	58.48%	58.40%
Weighted average ownership percentage of noncontrolling interest									41.45%	41.52%	41.60%
Total (as a percentage)									100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Income before provision for income taxes attributable to RE/MAX Holdings, Inc.									$ 41,238	$ 65,493	$ 36,165
Provision for income taxes attributable to RE/MAX Holdings, Inc.									(14,194)	(55,255)	(13,944)
Net income attributable to RE/MAX Holdings, Inc.	$ 6,274	$ 8,139	$ 7,648	$ 4,983	$ (5,477)	$ 3,717	$ 7,458	$ 4,540	27,044	10,238	22,221
Income before provision for income taxes: Non-controlling interest									24,926	23,369	25,850
Provision for income taxes: Non-controlling interest									(1,605)	(1,792)	(1,223)
Net income: Non-controlling interest	4,792	7,402	6,943	4,184	5,074	3,573	8,081	4,848	23,321	21,577	24,627
Income before provision for income taxes	18,436	18,961	17,738	11,029	45,859	10,311	20,274	12,418	66,164	88,862	62,015
Provision for income taxes	(7,370)	(3,420)	(3,147)	(1,862)	(46,262)	(3,021)	(4,735)	(3,030)	(15,799)	(57,047)	(15,167)
Net income	$ 11,066	$ 15,541	$ 14,591	$ 9,167	$ (403)	$ 7,290	$ 15,539	$ 9,388	50,365	31,815	46,848
Non-controlling interest
Minority Interest [Line Items]
Net income									$ 23,321	$ 21,577	$ 24,627