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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Notes) | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] | 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES USE OF ESTIMATES In presenting the consolidated financial statements, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and related disclosures. Estimates, by their nature, are based on judgment and available information. Accordingly, actual results could differ materially from those estimates. ASSETS HELD FOR SALE AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS The Company reports the results of operations of a business as discontinued operations if a disposal represents a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on the Company's operations and financial results when the business is sold and classified as held for sale, in accordance with the criteria of Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) Topic 205 Presentation of Financial Statements ("ASC 205") and ASC Topic 360 Property, Plant and Equipment (“ASC 360”). Assets and liabilities of a business classified as held for sale are recorded at the lower of its carrying amount or estimated fair value less cost to sell and depreciation ceases on the date that the held for sale criteria are met. If the carrying amount of the business exceeds its estimated fair value less cost to sell, a loss is recognized. Assets and liabilities related to a business classified as held for sale are segregated in the current and prior balance sheets in the period in which the business is classified as held for sale. The results of discontinued operations are reported in "Net (loss) income from discontinued operations" in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations for the current and prior periods commencing in the period in which the business meets the criteria, and includes any gain or loss recognized on closing, or adjustment of the carrying amount to fair value less cost to sell. Transactions between the businesses held for sale and businesses held for use that are expected to continue to exist after the disposal are not eliminated to appropriately reflect the continuing operations and balances held for sale. See Note 3, "Discontinued Operations", for further discussion. LEASES See Note 4, "Leases", for discussion. REVENUE RECOGNITION See Note 5, "Revenue Recognition", for discussion. CONSOLIDATION The Company consolidates any variable interest entity ("VIE") for which it is the primary beneficiary with a controlling financial interest. Also, the Company consolidates an entity not deemed a VIE if its ownership, direct or indirect, exceeds 50% of the outstanding voting shares of an entity and/or it has the ability to control the financial or operating policies through its voting rights, board representation or other similar rights. For entities where the Company does not have a controlling interest (financial or operating), the investments in such entities are accounted for using the equity method or at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income, as appropriate. The Company applies the equity method of accounting when it has the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies of an investee. The Company measures all other investments at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income or in the case that an equity investment does not have readily determinable fair values, at cost minus impairment (if any) plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS The Company considers highly liquid investments with remaining maturities not exceeding three months at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS The Company estimates the allowance necessary to provide for uncollectible accounts receivable. The estimate is based on historical experience, combined with a review of current developments and includes specific accounts for which payment has become unlikely. The process by which the Company calculates the allowance begins in the individual business units where specific problem accounts are identified and reserved primarily based upon the age profile of the receivables and specific payment issues. ADVERTISING EXPENSES Advertising costs are generally expensed in the period incurred. Advertising expenses, recorded within the marketing expense line item on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations, were approximately $196 million, $207 million and $211 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. DEBT ISSUANCE COSTS Debt issuance costs include costs incurred in connection with obtaining debt and extending existing debt. These financing costs are presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the associated debt liability, consistent with the presentation of a debt discount, with the exception of the debt issuance costs related to the Revolving Credit Facility which are classified as a deferred financing asset within other assets. The debt issuance costs are amortized via the effective interest method and the amortization period is the life of the related debt. INCOME TAXES The Company’s provision for income taxes is determined using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are calculated based upon the temporary differences between the financial statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities using currently enacted tax rates. These differences are based upon estimated differences between the book and tax basis of the assets and liabilities for the Company. Certain tax assets and liabilities of the Company may be adjusted in connection with the finalization of income tax audits. The Company’s deferred tax assets are recorded net of a valuation allowance when, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the recorded deferred tax balances will not be realized in future periods. Decreases to the valuation allowance are recorded as reductions to the Company’s provision for income taxes and increases to the valuation allowance result in additional provision for income taxes. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS The Company records derivatives and hedging activities on the balance sheet at their respective fair values. The Company uses interest rate swaps to manage its exposure to future interest rate volatility associated with its variable rate borrowings. The Company has not elected to utilize hedge accounting for these instruments; therefore, any change in fair value is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. However, the fluctuations in the value of these instruments generally offset the impact of changes in the value of the underlying risk that they are intended to economically hedge. See Note 18, "Risk Management and Fair Value of Financial Instruments", for further discussion. INVESTMENTS Guaranteed Rate Affinity, LLC ("Guaranteed Rate Affinity") originates and markets its mortgage lending services to the Company's real estate brokerage as well as other real estate brokerage companies across the country. Guaranteed Rate, Inc. ("Guaranteed Rate") owns a controlling 50.1% stake of Guaranteed Rate Affinity and the Company owns 49.9%. The Company has certain governance rights related to the joint venture, however it does not have co ntrol of the day-to-day operations of Guaranteed Rate Affinity. During the first quarter of 2018, the Company's interest in PHH Home Loans LLC ("PHH Home Loans"), the Company's former 49.9% mortgage joint venture, was sold to a subsidiary of PHH Corporation and the Company received net cash proceeds of $19 million reducing the investment balance in PHH Home Loans to zero. Guaranteed Rate Affinity began doing business in August 2017 on a phased-in basis. The equity earnings or losses related to PHH Home Loans were included in the financial results of Realogy Brokerage Group and the equity earnings or losses related to Guaranteed Rate Affinity are included in the financial results of Realogy Title Group. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had various equity method investments aggregating $69 million and $51 million, respectively, which are recorded within other non-current assets on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The $69 million investment balance at December 31, 2019 included $60 million for the Company's investment in Guaranteed Rate Affinity. The $51 million investment balance at December 31, 2018 included $43 million for the Company's investment in Guaranteed Rate Affinity. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded equity earnings of $18 million at Realogy Title Group primarily related to earnings from the operations of Guaranteed Rate Affinity. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded equity losses of $4 million at Realogy Title Group primarily related to losses from the operations of Guaranteed Rate Affinity. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded equity earnings of $18 million which consisted of $35 million of earnings from the sale of PHH Home Loans' assets to Guaranteed Rate Affinity, partially offset by $7 million of exit costs and losses of $6 million from the continuing operations of PHH Home Loans. In addition, there was a $4 million loss from equity method investments at Realogy Title Group primarily related to costs associated with the start up of operations of Guaranteed Rate Affinity, including $3 million of amortization of intangible assets recorded in purchase accounting. The Company received $3 million, $3 million and $63 million in cash dividends from equity method investments during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The Company invested $2 million, $4 million and $55 million of cash into Guaranteed Rate Affinity during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT Property and equipment (including leasehold improvements) are initially recorded at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation, recorded as a component of depreciation and amortization on the Consolidated Statements of Operations, is computed utilizing the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Amortization of leasehold improvements, also recorded as a component of depreciation and amortization, is computed utilizing the straight-line method over the estimated benefit period of the related assets or the lease term, if shorter. Useful lives are 30 years for buildings, up to 20 years for leasehold improvements, and from 3 to 7 years for furniture, fixtures and equipment. The Company capitalizes the costs of software developed for internal use which commences during the development phase of the project. The Company amortizes software developed or obtained for internal use on a straight-line basis, generally from 1 to 5 years, when such software is ready for use. The net carrying value of software developed or obtained for internal use was $97 million and $93 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. IMPAIRMENT OF GOODWILL, INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND OTHER LONG-LIVED ASSETS Goodwill represents the excess of acquisition costs over the fair value of the net tangible assets and identifiable intangible assets acquired in a business combination. Other indefinite-lived intangible assets primarily consist of trademarks acquired in business combinations. Goodwill and other indefinite-lived assets are not amortized, but are subject to impairment testing. The aggregate carrying values of our goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets were $3,300 million and $692 million, respectively, at December 31, 2019 and are subject to an impairment assessment annually as of October 1, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be fully recoverable. This assessment compares carrying values of the goodwill reporting units and other indefinite lived intangible assets to their respective fair values and, when appropriate, the carrying value is reduced to fair value. In testing goodwill, the fair value of each reporting unit is estimated using the income approach, a discounted cash flow approach. For the other indefinite lived intangible assets, fair value is estimated using the relief from royalty method. Management utilizes long-term cash flow forecasts and the Company's annual operating plans adjusted for terminal value assumptions. The fair value of the Company's reporting units and other indefinite lived intangible assets are determined utilizing the best estimate of future revenues, operating expenses including commission expense, market and general economic conditions, trends in the industry, as well as assumptions that management believes marketplace participants would utilize including discount rates, cost of capital, trademark royalty rates, and long-term growth rates. The trademark royalty rate was determined by reviewing similar trademark agreements with third parties. Although management believes that assumptions are reasonable, actual results may vary significantly. These impairment assessments involve the use of accounting estimates and assumptions, changes in which could materially impact our financial condition or operating performance if actual results differ from such estimates and assumptions. To address this uncertainty, a sensitivity analysis is performed on key estimates and assumptions. During the third quarter of 2019, management determined that the decrease in the stock price of the Company and the impact on future earnings related to the discontinuation of the USAA affinity program qualified as triggering events for all of its reporting units and accordingly management performed an impairment assessment of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets as of September 1, 2019. The impairment assessment indicated that the carrying value of Realogy Broker age Group exceeded its estimated fair value by $180 million primarily as a result of a reduction in Realogy Broker age Group's long-term forecast. Accounting Standard Update No. 2017-04 (Topic 350), "Simplifying the Test of Goodwill Impairment", which the Company early adopted in the third quarter of 2019, requires that the impairment charge and deferred tax effect are calculated using the simultaneous equation method which effectively grosses up the goodwill impairment charge to account for the related tax benefit so that the resulting carrying value does not exceed the calculated fair value. As a result, management recognized a goodwill impairment charge to reduce goodwill at Realogy Brokerage Group by $237 million offset by an income tax benefit of $57 million resulting in a net reduction in carrying value of $180 million. The results of the Company's interim impairment test indicated no other impairment charges were required for the other reporting units or other indefinite-lived intangibles. Management evaluated the effect of lowering the estimated fair value for each of the passing reporting units by 10% and determined no impairment of goodwill or other indefinite-lived intangible assets would have been recognized under this evaluation. Based upon the impairment assessment performed in the fourth quarter of 2019, 2018 and 2017, there was no impairment of goodwill or other indefinite-lived intangible assets for these years. Management evaluated the effect of lowering the estimated fair value for each of the passing reporting units by 10% and determined no impairment of goodwill or other indefinite-lived intangible assets would have been recognized under this evaluation for 2018 or 2017. The Company evaluates the recoverability of its other long-lived assets, including amortizable intangible assets, if circumstances indicate an impairment may have occurred. This assessment is performed by comparing the respective carrying values of the assets to the current and expected future cash flows, on an undiscounted basis, to be generated from such assets. If such assessment indicates that the carrying value of these assets is not recoverable, then the carrying value of such assets is reduced to fair value through a charge to the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION The Company grants stock-based awards to certain senior management, employees and directors including non-qualified stock options, restricted stock units and performance share units. The fair value of non-qualified stock options is estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model on the grant date and is recognized as expense over the service period based on the vesting requirements. The fair value of restricted stock units and performance share units without a market condition is measured based on the closing price of the Company's common stock on the grant date and is recognized as expense over the service period of the award, or when requisite performance metrics or milestones are probable of being achieved. The fair value of awards with a market condition are estimated using the Monte Carlo simulation method and expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award. The Company recognizes forfeitures as they occur. Determining the fair value of stock-based awards at the grant date requires considerable judgment, including estimating expected volatility and expected term, risk-free rate. RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS Adoption of the New Leasing Standard In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update No. 2016-02 (Topic 842) "Leases" (the "new leasing standard") which requires virtually all leases to be recognized on the balance sheet. Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted the new leasing standard using the modified retrospective transition approach with optional transition relief and recognized the cumulative effect of applying the new leasing standard to existing contracts on the balance sheet on January 1, 2019. Therefore, results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2019 are presented under the new leasing standard; however, the comparative prior period amounts have not been restated and continue to be reported in accordance with historical accounting under ASC Topic 840. The most significant effects of adoption of the new leasing standard relate to the recognition of new right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for operating leases. The new leasing standard did not impact our Consolidated Statement of Operations and Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The impact of the changes to the Consolidated Balance Sheets for the adoption of the new leasing standard were as follows:
| Balance Sheet accounts prior to the new leasing standard adoption adjustments |  | Adjustments due to the adoption of the new leasing standard |  | Balance Sheet accounts after the new leasing standard adoption adjustments
ASSETS |  |  |  |  |
Current assets: |  |  |  |  |
Other current assets | $ | 140 |  |  | $ | (13) |  |  | $ | 127 |
Current assets - held for sale | 338 |  |  | (1) |  |  | 337 |
Total current assets | 768 |  |  | (14) |  |  | 754 |
Operating lease assets, net | — |  |  | 525 |  |  | 525 |
Other non-current assets | 272 |  |  | — |  |  | 272 |
Non-current assets - held for sale | 461 |  |  | 41 |  |  | 502 |
Total assets (a) | $ | 7,290 |  |  | $ | 552 |  |  | $ | 7,842 |
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY |  |  |  |  |
Current liabilities: |  |  |  |  |
Current portion of operating lease liabilities | $ | — |  |  | $ | 126 |  |  | $ | 126 |
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 344 |  |  | (12) |  |  | 332 |
Current liabilities - held for sale | 352 |  |  | — |  |  | 352 |
Total current liabilities | 1,527 |  |  | 114 |  |  | 1,641 |
Long-term operating lease liabilities | — |  |  | 458 |  |  | 458 |
Other non-current liabilities | 256 |  |  | (60) |  |  | 196 |
Non-current liabilities - held for sale | 3 |  |  | 40 |  |  | 43 |
Total liabilities | 4,975 |  |  | 552 |  |  | 5,527 |
Total equity | 2,315 |  |  | — |  |  | 2,315 |
Total liabilities and equity | $ | 7,290 |  |  | $ | 552 |  |  | $ | 7,842 |
_______________ (a)The $552 million adjustment to Total assets due to the adoption of the new leasing standard consists of $414 million at Realogy Brokerage Group, $52 million at Corporate and Other, $46 million at Realogy Title Group and $40 million of assets held for sale related to the pending sale of Cartus' Relocation Services business. The Company elected a package of practical expedients that were consequently applied to all leases. The Company did not reassess whether expired or existing contracts contain leases under the new definition of a lease, lease classification for expired or existing leases, nor whether previously capitalized initial direct costs would qualify for capitalization under the new standard. Upon transition, the Company did not elect to use hindsight with respect to lease renewals and purchase options when accounting for existing leases, as well as assessing the impairment of right-of-use assets. Therefore, lease terms largely remained unchanged. In addition, the Company elected the short-term lease recognition exemption and did not recognize a lease obligation and right-of-use asset on its balance sheet for all leases with terms of 12 months or less. The Company elected the practical expedient to combine lease and non-lease components in total gross rent for all of its leases which resulted in a larger lease liability recorded on the balance sheet. Adoption of Other Accounting Pronouncements In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update No. 2017-04 (Topic 350), "Simplifying the Test of Goodwill Impairment." This update simplifies how the Company is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating step two, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation, from the goodwill impairment test. Under the new guidance, a goodwill impairment will equal the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. The new guidance requires that the impairment charge and deferred tax effect are calculated using the simultaneous equation method which effectively grosses up the goodwill impairment charge to account for the related tax benefit so that the resulting carrying value does not exceed the calculated fair value. The standard is effective for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests during fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted, and should be applied prospectively. The Company elected to early adopt this standard as of September 1, 2019. RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS The Company considers the applicability and impact of all Accounting Standards Updates. Recently issued standards were assessed and determined to be either not applicable or are expected to have minimal impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

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