Non-controlling Interest - Net income reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Noncontrolling Interest
Weighted average ownership percentage of controlling interest									58.60%	58.60%	58.50%
Weighted average ownership percentage of noncontrolling interest									41.40%	41.40%	41.50%
Total (as a percentage)									100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Income before provision for income taxes attributable to RE/MAX Holdings, Inc.									$ 33,850	$ 41,238	$ 65,493
Income before provision for income taxes: Non-controlling interest									23,915	24,926	23,369
Income before provision for income taxes	$ 7,564	$ 20,717	$ 19,319	$ 10,165	$ 18,436	$ 18,961	$ 17,738	$ 11,029	57,765	66,164	88,862
Provision for income taxes attributable to RE/MAX Holdings, Inc.									(8,810)	(14,355)	(55,394)
Provision for income taxes: Non-controlling interest									(2,099)	(1,987)	(2,148)
Provision for income taxes	(2,362)	(3,453)	(3,186)	(1,908)	(7,507)	(3,555)	(3,283)	(1,997)	(10,909)	(16,342)	(57,542)
Net income attributable to RE/MAX Holdings, Inc.	2,888	9,173	8,570	4,409	6,234	8,099	7,607	4,943	25,040	26,883	10,099
Net income: Non-controlling interest	2,314	8,091	7,563	3,848	4,695	7,307	6,848	4,089	21,816	22,939	21,221
Net income	$ 5,202	$ 17,264	$ 16,133	$ 8,257	$ 10,929	$ 15,406	$ 14,455	$ 9,032	$ 46,856	$ 49,822	$ 31,320