Information on Segments and Reconciliation to Earnings Before Income Taxes from Continuing Operations (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 539,458		$ 529,510	$ 1,686,663		$ 1,654,125
Earnings Before Income Taxes	29,420		46,044	150,849		219,663
Assets	1,917,481			1,917,481			1,812,929
Sales and Lease Ownership
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	499,979		485,326	1,559,951		1,539,702
Earnings Before Income Taxes	34,521		39,580	145,795		190,690
Assets	1,453,869			1,453,869			1,410,075
HomeSmart
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	15,098		14,104	47,623		40,384
Earnings Before Income Taxes	(1,480)		(2,264)	(2,468)		(5,222)
Assets	47,743			47,743			58,347
RIMCO
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	5,054		4,127	15,447		12,430
Earnings Before Income Taxes	(221)		170	(18)		596
Assets	13,584			13,584			11,737
Franchise
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	16,530		15,981	51,564		49,628
Earnings Before Income Taxes	13,084		12,417	40,841		39,137
Assets	41,776			41,776			53,820
Manufacturing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	23,501		20,030	78,622		72,124
Earnings Before Income Taxes	22		53	67		579
Assets	28,211	[1]		28,211	[1]		24,787	[1]
All Other Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	888		887	2,120		3,230
Earnings Before Income Taxes	(19,071)		(11,359)	(50,019)		(13,786)
Assets	332,298			332,298			254,163
Reportable Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	561,050		540,455	1,755,327		1,717,498
Earnings Before Income Taxes	26,855		38,597	134,198		211,994
Elimination of Intersegment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	(22,673)		(20,030)	(76,427)		(72,124)
Earnings Before Income Taxes	(5)		(53)	(55)		(579)
Cash to Accrual and Other Adjustments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	1,081		9,085	7,763		8,751
Earnings Before Income Taxes	$ 2,570		$ 7,500	$ 16,706		$ 8,248

[1] Includes inventory (principally raw materials and work-in-process) that has been classified within lease merchandise in the consolidated balance sheets of $17.2 million and $14.1 million as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.