Segment information - Reportable Segments Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Sales Information [Line Items]
Total segment reporting revenues	$ 41,880,000	[1]	$ 39,075,000	[1]
Brokerage and Other | Intersegment Eliminations
Sales Information [Line Items]
Total segment reporting revenues	$ (422,000)		$ (353,000)

[1] (a) Transactions between the Real Estate Franchise Services and the Brokerage and Other reportable segments are eliminated in consolidation. Revenues for the Real Estate Franchise Services segment include intercompany amounts paid from the Company’s brokerage services business of $422,000 and $353,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Such amounts are eliminated through the Brokerage and Other reportable segment.