HFF 10-Q 7 Nov 17 2017 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Oct. 31, 2017
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	HF
Entity Registrant Name	HFF, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	1,380,509
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Class A Shares Outstanding		38,579,544

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 221,805	$ 235,582
Accounts receivable	3,123	2,124
Mortgage notes receivable	736,218	290,933
Prepaid taxes	1,640	1,118
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	12,712	12,971
Total current assets, net	975,498	542,728
Property and equipment, net	16,930	15,837
Deferred tax asset, net	95,672	112,557
Goodwill	8,421	3,712
Intangible assets, net	50,124	36,614
Other noncurrent assets	9,233	5,211
Total Assets	1,155,878	716,659
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	303	448
Warehouse line of credit	734,244	290,980
Accrued compensation and related taxes	48,668	44,685
Accounts payable	1,326	2,065
Payable under tax receivable agreement	11,346	11,315
Other current liabilities	13,424	18,803
Total current liabilities	809,311	368,296
Deferred rent credit	10,554	11,485
Payable under the tax receivable agreement, less current portion	88,326	100,077
Long-term debt, less current portion	47	259
Total liabilities	908,238	480,117
Stockholders' equity:
Treasury stock, 163,154 and 372,325 shares at cost, respectively	(4,971)	(11,477)
Additional paid-in-capital	139,966	132,513
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(81)
Retained earnings	112,339	115,121
Total equity	247,640	236,542
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	1,155,878	716,659
Class A Common Stock [Member]
Stockholders' equity:
Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 175,000,000 authorized; 38,742,698 and 38,463,448 shares issued, respectively; 38,579,544 and 38,091,123 shares outstanding, respectively	$ 387	$ 385

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Treasury stock, shares	163,154	372,325
Class A Common Stock [Member]
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	175,000,000	175,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	38,742,698	38,463,448
Common stock, shares outstanding	38,579,544	38,091,123

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Revenues
Capital markets services revenue	$ 142,857	$ 122,349	$ 409,285	$ 349,887
Interest on mortgage notes receivable	4,325	3,098	12,041	9,274
Other	840	1,088	2,866	2,569
Total revenues	148,022	126,535	424,192	361,730
Expenses
Cost of services	84,020	71,348	243,441	206,336
Personnel	15,109	11,733	44,731	39,715
Occupancy	3,959	3,678	12,331	10,408
Travel and entertainment	4,294	3,710	14,003	12,211
Supplies, research, and printing	2,269	2,102	6,065	5,993
Insurance	630	534	1,853	1,699
Professional fees	1,693	1,204	5,306	3,906
Depreciation and amortization	4,563	3,063	12,262	8,625
Interest on warehouse line of credit	3,473	1,885	9,129	5,562
Other operating	3,366	3,017	10,264	8,688
Total expenses	123,376	102,274	359,385	303,143
Operating income	24,646	24,261	64,807	58,587
Interest and other income, net	12,209	9,053	36,045	24,109
Interest expense	(5)	(9)	(17)	(33)
(Increase) decrease in payable under the tax receivable agreement	479	(1,025)	479	(1,025)
Income before income taxes	37,329	32,280	101,314	81,638
Income tax expense	15,726	12,260	40,593	31,896
Net income	$ 21,603	$ 20,020	$ 60,721	$ 49,742
Earnings per share-Basic and Diluted
Income available to HFF, Inc. common stockholders - Basic	$ 0.56	$ 0.52	$ 1.57	$ 1.30
Income available to HFF, Inc. common stockholders - Diluted	$ 0.54	$ 0.51	$ 1.54	$ 1.28
Other comprehensive loss:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	$ (44)		$ (81)
Comprehensive income	$ 21,559	$ 20,020	$ 60,640	$ 49,742

Consolidated Statements of Stoc

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]Class A Common Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Additional Paid in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(loss) [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 214,504	$ 383	$ (11,378)	$ 117,216		$ 108,283
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2015		37,854,312	497,055
Stock compensation and other, net	13,303			13,303
Incremental tax adjustment from share-based award activities	(586)			(586)
Issuance of Class A common stock, net		$ 2	$ 2,715	(2,717)
Issuance of Class A common stock, net, shares		343,554	(231,473)
Repurchase of Class A common stock	(2,979)		$ (2,979)
Repurchase of Class A common stock, shares		(112,081)	112,081
Dividends paid	(68,362)			1,995		(70,357)
Net income	49,742					49,742
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2016	205,622	$ 385	$ (11,642)	129,211		87,668
Ending balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2016		38,085,785	377,663
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2016	236,542	$ 385	$ (11,477)	132,513		115,121
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2016		38,091,123	372,325
Stock compensation and other, net	16,408			16,965		(557)
Issuance of Class A common stock, net		$ 2	$ 12,439	(12,441)
Issuance of Class A common stock, net, shares		681,970	(405,088)
Repurchase of Class A common stock	(5,933)		$ (5,933)
Repurchase of Class A common stock, shares		(193,549)	195,917
Other comprehensive (loss)	(81)				$ (81)
Dividends paid	(60,017)			2,929		(62,946)
Net income	60,721					60,721
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2017	$ 247,640	$ 387	$ (4,971)	$ 139,966	$ (81)	$ 112,339
Ending balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2017		38,579,544	163,154

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Operating activities
Net income	$ 60,721	$ 49,742
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Stock based compensation	13,049	8,941
Incremental tax adjustment from share-based award activities		586
Deferred taxes	16,798	14,074
Increase (decrease) in payable under the tax receivable agreement	(479)	1,025
Depreciation and amortization:
Property and equipment	3,191	2,377
Intangibles	9,070	6,248
Gain on sale or disposition of assets, net	(20,178)	(12,191)
Mortgage service rights assumed	(3,300)	(3,334)
Proceeds from sale of mortgage servicing rights		2,265
Increase (decrease) in cash from changes in:
Accounts receivable	(87)	(913)
Receivable from affiliates		4
Payable under the tax receivable agreement	(11,241)	(10,824)
Mortgage notes receivable	(443,264)	(505,899)
Net borrowings on warehouse line of credit	443,264	505,899
Prepaid taxes, prepaid expenses and other current assets	(233)	(1,871)
Other noncurrent assets	(4,022)	(3,312)
Accrued compensation and related taxes	7,342	(9,597)
Accounts payable	(747)	(201)
Other current liabilities	(5,757)	(10,101)
Deferred rent	(931)	1,336
Net cash provided by operating activities	63,196	34,254
Investing activities
Purchases of property and equipment	(4,355)	(4,014)
Purchase of businesses	(6,230)
Net cash used in investing activities	(10,585)	(4,014)
Financing activities
Payments on long-term debt	(357)	(415)
Incremental tax adjustment from share-based award activities		(586)
Dividends paid	(60,017)	(68,362)
Treasury stock	(5,933)	(2,979)
Net cash used in financing activities	(66,307)	(72,342)
Effects of foreign currency translation on cash and cash equivalents	(81)
Net decrease in cash	(13,777)	(42,102)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	235,582	233,904
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 221,805	$ 191,802

Organization and Basis of Prese

Organization and Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Organization and Basis of Presentation	1. Organization and Basis of Presentation Organization HFF, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), through its Operating Partnerships, Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, L.P., a Texas limited partnership (“HFF LP”), HFF Securities L.P., a Delaware limited partnership and registered broker-dealer (“HFF Securities” and together with HFF LP, the “Operating Partnerships”), HFF Real Estate Limited, a company incorporated in England and Wales and HFF Securities Limited, a company incorporated in England and Wales (collectively, with HFF Real Estate Limited, the “UK Subsidiaries”), is a commercial real estate financial intermediary providing commercial real estate and capital markets services including debt placement, investment advisory, equity placements, investment banking and advisory services, loan sales and loan sale advisory services, commercial loan servicing, and capital markets advice and maintains offices in 23 cities in the United States and effective January 17, 2017, one office in London, United Kingdom. The Company’s operations are impacted by the availability of equity and/or debt as well as credit and liquidity in the domestic and global capital markets especially in the commercial real estate sector. Significant disruptions or changes in domestic and global capital market flows, as well as credit and liquidity issues in the global and domestic capital markets, regardless of their duration, could adversely affect the supply and/or demand for capital from investors for commercial real estate investments which could have a significant impact on all of the Company’s capital market services revenues. Initial Public Offering and Reorganization The Company was formed in November 2006 in connection with a proposed initial public offering of its Class A common stock. On November 9, 2006, the Company filed a registration statement on Form S-1 S-1 In addition to cash received for its sale of all of the shares of Holliday GP and approximately 44.7% of partnership units of each of the Operating Partnerships (including partnership units in the Operating Partnerships held by Holliday GP), HFF Holdings also received, through the issuance of one share of the Company’s Class B common stock to HFF Holdings, an exchange right that permitted HFF Holdings to exchange interests in the Operating Partnerships for shares of (i) the Company’s Class A common stock (the “Exchange Right”) and (ii) rights under a tax receivable agreement between the Company and HFF Holdings. Since all of the partnership units had been exchanged as of August 31, 2012, the Class B common stock was transferred to the Company and retired on August 31, 2012 in accordance with the Company’s certificate of incorporation. See Note 15 for further discussion of the tax receivable agreement. As a result of the reorganization, the Company became a holding company through a series of transactions pursuant to a sale and purchase agreement. Pursuant to the Offering and reorganization, the Company’s sole assets are, through its wholly-owned subsidiary HoldCo LLC, partnership interests of HFF LP and HFF Securities and all of the shares of Holliday GP. Basis of Presentation The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 and for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, include the accounts of HFF LP, HFF Securities, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, Holliday GP and Partnership Holdings and effective January 17, 2017, HFF Securities Limited and HFF Real Estate Limited. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. As the sole stockholder of Holliday GP (the sole general partner of the Operating Partnerships), HFF, Inc. operates and controls all of the business and affairs of the Operating Partnerships. As the indirect sole stockholder of the UK Subsidiaries, HFF, Inc. also operates and controls all of the business and affairs of the UK Subsidiaries. The Company consolidates the financial results of the Operating Partnerships and the UK Subsidiaries. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In December 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued update 2016-19 In March 2016, the FASB issued changes to the accounting for equity compensation. This update simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. This update also permits an entity to make an election to either estimate the number of awards that are expected to vest or account for forfeitures as they occur. This update was effective for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2017 and the Company made an election to change its accounting for forfeitures from the previously-required estimation method to recognizing forfeitures when they occur. The Company recognized $0.6 million as a reduction in retained earnings on January 1, 2017 as a result of eliminating the estimated forfeiture rate on unvested restricted stock units. In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on the accounting for leases. This new guidance will require that a lessee recognize assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for all leases with a lease term of more than twelve months, with the result being the recognition of a right of use asset and a lease liability. The new lease accounting requirements are effective for the Company’s 2019 fiscal year with a modified retrospective transition approach required, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this new guidance on its consolidated financial statements. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, The Company will adopt the new standard effective January 1, 2018, and plans to use the modified retrospective approach. The Company has conducted initial analyses, developed project management procedures, assessed for adjustments to existing accounting policies, and completed detailed contract reviews to support an evaluation of the standard’s impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. As we complete our overall assessment, we are also identifying any needed changes to our business processes, systems and controls to support the new revenue recognition and disclosure requirements. Based on our evaluation to date, the Company expects the timing of revenue recognition for our equity placement services to be accelerated. The Company also expects revenue recognition disclosures to include additional detail in accordance with the new requirements. However, the Company does not expect the adoption of this accounting guidance to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements. In January 2017, FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, 2017-04 2017-04

Summary of Significant Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies These interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information, the instructions to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q 10-01 S-X 10-K The Company has a firm profit participation plan, office profit participation plans, and an executive bonus plan (the “Plans”) that each allow for incentive payments to be made, based on the achievement of various performance metrics, either in the form of cash or stock at the election of the Company’s board of directors. The expense associated with the Plans is included within personnel expenses in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. The expense recorded for these Plans is estimated during the year based on actual results at each interim reporting date and an estimate of future results for the remainder of the year. Based on an accounting policy election and consistent with ASC 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation paid-in-capital

Stock Compensation

Stock Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock Compensation	3. Stock Compensation The stock compensation cost that has been charged against income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $4.3 million and $13.0 million, respectively, which is recorded in personnel expenses in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. The stock compensation cost that has been charged against income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $2.9 million and $8.9 million, respectively. At September 30, 2017, there was approximately $37.0 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested During the three month period ended September 30, 2017, no options were granted, vested, exercised or forfeited. During the three month period ended September 30, 2017, no new RSUs were granted, 5,374 RSUs vested, 6,260 RSUs were converted to Class A common stock, and 12,727 RSUs were forfeited. The fair value of vested RSUs was $8.3 million at September 30, 2017.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property and Equipment	4. Property and Equipment Property and equipment consist of the following (dollars in thousands): September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Furniture and equipment $ 8,160 $ 7,667 Computer equipment 2,203 2,145 Capitalized software costs 2,561 2,043 Leasehold improvements 18,076 15,813 Subtotal 31,000 27,668 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization (14,070 ) (11,831 ) $ 16,930 $ 15,837 At September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company has recorded, within furniture and equipment, office equipment under capital leases of $1.8 million and $1.9 million, respectively, including accumulated amortization of $1.4 million and $1.2 million, respectively, which is included within depreciation and amortization expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income. See Note 7 for discussion of the related capital lease obligations.

Intangible Assets

Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets	5. Intangible Assets The Company’s intangible assets consist of mortgage servicing rights and customer contracts and relationships. The customer contracts and relationships intangibles were part of the assets acquired in two business acquisitions that the Company completed in the first quarter of 2017. The acquisitions, which were not significant, were accounted for as business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting, which established a new basis of accounting for all assets acquired and liabilities assumed at fair value. The purchase price allocation was based on preliminary fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisitions. The purchase price allocation will be finalized within twelve months from the closing date of the respective acquisitions. The Company’s intangible assets are summarized as follows (dollars in thousands): September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Book Value Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Book Value Amortizable intangible assets: Mortgage servicing rights $ 81,422 $ (32,022 ) $ 49,400 $ 64,648 $ (28,034 ) $ 36,614 Other 1,038 (314 ) 724 — — — Total intangible assets $ 82,460 $ (32,336 ) $ 50,124 $ 64,648 $ (28,034 ) $ 36,614 As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company serviced $65.8 billion and $58.0 billion, respectively, of commercial loans. The Company earned $7.3 million and $21.0 million in servicing fees and interest on float and escrow balances for the three and nine month periods ending September 30, 2017, respectively. The Company earned $5.8 million and $17.0 million in servicing fees and interest on float and escrow balances for the three and nine month periods ending September 30, 2016. These revenues are recorded as capital markets services revenues in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. The total commercial loan servicing portfolio includes loans for which there are no corresponding mortgage servicing rights recorded on the balance sheet, as these servicing rights were assumed prior to the Company’s adoption of ASC 860, Transfers and Servicing The Company stratifies its servicing portfolio based on the type of loan, including life company loans, commercial mortgage backed securities (“CMBS”), Freddie Mac and limited-service life company loans. Changes in the carrying value of mortgage servicing rights for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, were as follows (dollars in thousands): Category 12/31/16 Capitalized Amortized Sold / 9/30/17 Freddie Mac $ 16,234 $ 18,242 $ (3,621 ) $ — $ 30,855 CMBS 16,247 774 (3,006 ) — 14,015 Life company 3,567 2,150 (1,860 ) — 3,857 Life company – limited 566 376 (269 ) — 673 Total $ 36,614 $ 21,542 $ (8,756 ) $ — $ 49,400 Category 12/31/15 Capitalized Amortized Sold / 9/30/16 Freddie Mac $ 7,074 $ 8,460 $ (1,576 ) $ (2,450 ) $ 11,508 CMBS 16,768 778 (3,001 ) 1,948 16,493 Life company 2,729 2,154 (1,448 ) — 3,435 Life company – limited 351 404 (222 ) — 533 Total $ 26,922 $ 11,796 $ (6,247 ) $ (502 ) $ 31,969 Amounts capitalized represent mortgage servicing rights retained upon the sale of originated loans to Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”) and mortgage servicing rights acquired without the exchange of initial consideration. The Company recorded mortgage servicing rights retained upon the sale of originated loans to Freddie Mac of $6.5 million and $18.2 million on $1.7 billion and $4.3 billion of loans, respectively, during the three and nine month periods ending September 30, 2017, respectively, and $2.2 million and $8.5 million on $0.6 billion and $2.8 billion of loans, respectively, during the three and nine month periods ending September 30, 2016. The Company recorded mortgage servicing rights acquired without the exchange of initial consideration on the CMBS and Life company tranches of $1.2 million and $3.3 million on $3.5 billion and $9.3 billion of loans, respectively, during the three and nine month periods ending September 30, 2017, respectively, and $0.8 million and $3.3 million on $1.8 billion and $8.4 billion of loans, respectively, during the three and nine month periods ending September 30, 2016. During the nine months ending September 30, 2016, the Company sold the cashiering portion of certain Freddie Mac mortgage servicing rights. While the Company transferred the risks and rewards of ownership of the cashiering portion of the mortgage servicing rights, the Company continues to perform limited servicing activities on these securitized loans. Therefore, the remaining servicing rights were transferred to the CMBS servicing tranche. The net result of these transactions was that the Company recorded a gain in the three and nine months ending September 30, 2016 of $0.0 million and $1.8 million, respectively, within interest and other income, net in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. During the three and nine months ending September 30, 2017, the Company did not sell any of the servicing rights on certain Freddie Mac loans upon their securitization. However, the Company received securitization compensation in relation to the securitization of certain Freddie Mac mortgages in the three and nine months ending September 30, 2017 of $3.6 million and $8.6 million, respectively, and $1.3 million and $4.2 million during the three and nine month periods ending September 30, 2016, respectively. The securitization compensation is recorded within interest and other income, net in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Amortization expense related to intangible assets was $3.5 million and $9.1 million during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2017 and $2.2 million and $6.2 million during the three and nine month periods ending September 30, 2016, respectively, and is recorded in depreciation and amortization in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Estimated amortization expense for the next five years is as follows (dollars in thousands): Remainder of 2017 $ 2,944 2018 10,720 2019 8,526 2020 6,647 2021 5,718 2022 5,062 The weighted-average life of the mortgage servicing rights intangible asset was 6.6 years at September 30, 2017.

Fair Value Measurement

Fair Value Measurement	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurement	6. Fair Value Measurement ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement In the normal course of business, the Company enters into contractual commitments to originate (purchase) and sell multifamily mortgage loans at fixed prices with fixed expiration dates. The commitments become effective when the borrowers “lock-in” The following tables set forth the Company’s financial assets that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis by level within the fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (in thousands): September 30, 2017 Fair Value Measurements Using: Carrying Quoted Prices in Significant Other Significant Recurring fair value measurements Mortgage notes receivable $ 736,218 $ — $ 736,218 $ — Total recurring fair value measurements $ 736,218 $ — $ 736,218 $ — December 31, 2016 Fair Value Measurements Using: Carrying Quoted Prices in Significant Other Significant Recurring fair value measurements Mortgage notes receivable $ 290,933 $ — $ 290,933 $ — Total recurring fair value measurements $ 290,933 $ — $ 290,933 $ — The valuation of mortgage notes receivable is calculated based on already locked in interest rates. These assets are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy as all inputs are reasonably observable. In accordance with GAAP, from time to time, the Company measures certain assets at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. These assets may include mortgage servicing rights. The mortgage servicing rights are recorded at fair value upon initial recording and were not re-measured The following table sets forth the Company’s financial assets that were accounted for at fair value on a nonrecurring basis by level within the fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (in thousands): Nonrecurring fair value measurements: September 30, 2017 Carrying Quoted Prices in Significant Other Significant Mortgage servicing rights $ 49,400 $ — $ — $ 66,308 Total nonrecurring fair value measurements $ 49,400 $ — $ — $ 66,308 December 31, 2016 Carrying Quoted Prices in Significant Other Significant Mortgage servicing rights $ 36,614 $ — $ — $ 49,970 Total nonrecurring fair value measurements $ 36,614 $ — $ — $ 49,970 Mortgage servicing rights do not trade in an active, open market with readily-available observable prices. Since there is no ready market value for the mortgage servicing rights, such as quoted market prices or prices based on sales or purchases of similar assets, the Company determines the fair value of the mortgage servicing rights by estimating the present value of future cash flows associated with the servicing of the loans. Management makes certain assumptions and judgments in estimating the fair value of servicing rights, including the benefits of servicing (contractual servicing fees and interest on escrow and float balances), the cost of servicing, prepayment rates (including risk of default), an inflation rate, the expected life of the cash flows and the discount rate. The significant assumptions utilized to value servicing rights as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are as follows: September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Expected life of cash flows 3 years to 9 years 3 years to 11 years Discount rate (1) 10% to 16% 10% to 16% Prepayment rate 0% to 8% 0% to 8% Inflation rate 2% 2% Cost of service per loan $ 1,920 to $4,787 $ 1,920 to $4,997 (1) Reflects the time value of money and the risk of future cash flows related to the possible cancellation of servicing contracts, transferability restrictions on certain servicing contracts, concentration in the life company portfolio and large loan risk. The above assumptions are subject to change based on management’s judgments and estimates of future changes in the risks related to future cash flows and interest rates. Changes in these factors would cause a corresponding increase or decrease in the prepayment rates and discount rates used in the Company’s valuation model. FASB ASC Topic 825, Financial Instruments Cash and Cash Equivalents Warehouse line of credit

Capital Lease Obligations

Capital Lease Obligations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Leases [Abstract]
Capital Lease Obligations	7. Capital Lease Obligations Capital lease obligations consist of the following at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (dollars in thousands): September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Capital lease obligations $ 350 $ 707 Less current maturities 303 448 $ 47 $ 259 Capital lease obligations consist primarily of office equipment leases that expire at various dates through November 2019. A summary of future minimum lease payments under capital leases at September 30, 2017 is as follows (dollars in thousands): Remainder of 2017 $ 91 2018 218 2019 41 $350

Warehouse Line of Credit

Warehouse Line of Credit	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Warehouse Line of Credit	8. Warehouse Line of Credit HFF LP maintains two uncommitted warehouse revolving lines of credit for the purpose of funding the Freddie Mac mortgage loans that it originates as a Freddie Mac Multifamily Approved Seller/Servicer for Conventional and Senior Housing Loan provider (“Freddie Mac Program”). The Company is a party to an uncommitted $600 million financing arrangement with PNC Bank, N.A. (“PNC”). The PNC arrangement was modified during the third quarter of 2017 to increase the uncommitted amount from $450 million to $600 million which can be increased to $800 million an unlimited number of times per year for a period of 30 calendar days. In addition, PNC also agreed that the maximum capacity of the financing arrangement would be increased to $1.5 billion. On October 2, 2017, HFF LP entered into an extended funding agreement with Freddie Mac whereby Freddie Mac can extend the required purchase date for each mortgage that has an Original Funding Date (as defined in the agreement) occurring within the fourth quarter of 2017, to February 15, 2018. In connection with the extended funding agreement with Freddie Mac, PNC agreed to increase the maximum capacity of the financing arrangement to $2.0 billion. The maximum capacity under the PNC arrangement will revert to $1.5 billion after the expiration of the extended funding agreement. The Company is also party to an uncommitted $150 million financing arrangement with The Huntington National Bank (“Huntington”). The Huntington arrangement was amended in July 2017 to increase the uncommitted amount from $125 million to $150 million, which can be increased to $175 million three times in a one-year Each funding is separately approved on a transaction-by-transaction 30-day

Lease Commitments

Lease Commitments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Lease Commitments	9. Lease Commitments The Company leases various corporate offices (which leases sometime include parking spaces) and office equipment under noncancelable operating leases. These leases have initial terms of three to eleven years. Several of the leases have termination clauses whereby the term may be reduced by two to seven years upon prior notice and payment of a termination fee by the Company. Total rental expense charged to operations was $3.2 million and $10.2 million, respectively, during the three and nine month periods ending September 30, 2017 and $3.0 million and $8.6 million, respectively, during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2016 and is recorded within occupancy expense in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Future minimum rental payments for the next five years under operating leases with noncancelable terms in excess of one year and without regard to early termination provisions are as follows (dollars in thousands): Remainder of 2017 $ 2,667 2018 10,988 2019 10,719 2020 9,913 2021 8,440 2022 6,317 The Company subleases certain office space to subtenants, which subleases may be canceled at any time. The rental income received from these subleases is included as a reduction of occupancy expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income. The Company also leases certain office equipment under capital leases that expire at various dates through 2019. See Note 4 and Note 7 above for further description of the assets and related obligations recorded under these capital leases at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

Servicing

Servicing	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Transfers and Servicing [Abstract]
Servicing	10. Servicing The Company services commercial real estate loans for lenders. The unpaid principal balance of the servicing portfolio totaled $65.8 billion and $58.0 billion at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. In connection with its servicing activities, the Company holds funds in escrow for the benefit of mortgagors for hazard insurance, real estate taxes and other financing arrangements. At September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the funds held in escrow totaled $252.6 million and $182.3 million, respectively. These funds, and the offsetting obligations, are not presented in the Company’s financial statements as they do not represent the assets and liabilities of the Company. Pursuant to the requirements of the various investors for which the Company services loans, the Company maintains bank accounts, holding escrow funds, which have balances in excess of the FDIC insurance limit. The fees earned on these escrow funds are reported in capital markets services revenue in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Legal Proceedings

Legal Proceedings	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Legal Proceedings	11. Legal Proceedings The Company is party to various litigation matters, in most cases involving ordinary course and routine claims incidental to its business. The Company cannot estimate with certainty its ultimate legal and financial liability with respect to any pending matters. In accordance with ASC 450, Contingencies,

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	12. Income Taxes Income tax expense includes current and deferred taxes as follows for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (dollars in thousands): September 30, 2017 2016 U.S. Federal: Current $ 20,175 $ 14,897 Deferred 15,901 13,528 36,076 28,425 State and Local: Current 3,620 2,925 Deferred 1,808 546 5,428 3,471 International: Current — — Deferred (911 ) — (911 ) — Total $ 40,593 $ 31,896 The reconciliation between the income tax computed by applying the U.S. federal statutory rate and the effective tax rate on net income is as follows for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (dollars in thousands): September 30, 2017 2016 Income tax expense / (benefit) Rate Rate Taxes computed at federal rate $ 35,460 35.0 % $ 28,573 35.0 % State and local taxes, net of federal tax benefit 4,019 4.0 % 3,288 4.0 % Rate differential on non-US 541 0.5 % — — Effect of deferred rate change 476 0.5 % (1,188 ) (1.5 )% Change in income tax benefit payable to stockholder (117 ) (0.1 )% 206 0.3 % Effect of shortfalls (windfalls) related to equity compensation (1,139 ) (1.1 )% — — Provision to return adjustment (131 ) (0.1 )% 196 0.2 % Meals and entertainment 1,160 1.1 % 789 1.0 % Other 324 0.3 % 32 0.1 % Income tax expense $ 40,593 40.1 % $ 31,896 39.1 %

Stockholders Equity

Stockholders Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders Equity	13. Stockholders Equity The Company is authorized to issue 175,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share. Each share of Class A common stock entitles its holder to one vote on all matters to be voted on by stockholders generally. Holders of Class A common stock vote together as a single class on all matters presented to the stockholders for their vote or approval. The Company had issued 38,742,698 and 38,463,448 shares of Class A common stock as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. On January 24, 2017, the Company’s board of directors declared a special cash dividend of $1.57 per share of Class A common stock to stockholders of record on February 9, 2017. The aggregate dividend payment was paid on February 21, 2017 and totaled approximately $60.0 million based on the number of shares of Class A common stock then outstanding. Additionally, 95,648 RSUs (dividend equivalent units) were granted for those unvested and vested but not issued RSUs as of the record date of February 9, 2017. These dividend equivalent units follow the same vesting terms as the underlying RSUs. On January 22, 2016, the board of directors declared a special cash dividend of $1.80 per share of Class A common stock to stockholders of record on February 8, 2016. The aggregate dividend payment was paid on February 19, 2016 and totaled approximately $68.4 million based on the number of shares of Class A common stock then outstanding. Holders of unvested, and vested but not issued, RSUs were granted, in the aggregate, 82,536 additional RSUs as of the record date of February 8, 2016. These units follow the same vesting terms as the underlying RSUs.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	14. Earnings Per Share The Company’s net income and weighted average shares outstanding for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 consist of the following (dollars in thousands): Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Net income $ 21,603 $ 20,020 $ 60,721 $ 49,742 Weighted Average Shares Outstanding: Basic 38,706,240 38,273,684 38,647,021 38,234,868 Diluted 39,891,583 38,958,377 39,515,826 38,764,829 The calculations of basic and diluted net income per share amounts for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 are described and presented below. Basic Net Income per Share Numerator Denominator Diluted Net Income per Share Numerator Denominator Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Basic Earnings Per Share of Class A Common Stock Numerator: Net income $ 21,603 $ 20,020 $ 60,721 $ 49,742 Denominator: Weighted average number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding 38,706,240 38,273,684 38,647,021 38,234,868 Basic net income per share of Class A common stock $ 0.56 $ 0.52 $ 1.57 $ 1.30 Diluted Earnings Per Share of Class A Common Stock Numerator: Net income $ 21,603 $ 20,020 $ 60,721 $ 49,742 Denominator: Basic weighted average number of shares of Class A common stock 38,706,240 38,273,684 38,647,021 38,234,868 Add—dilutive effect of: Unvested RSUs 1,169,444 672,888 853,467 518,127 Stock options 15,899 11,805 15,338 11,834 Weighted average common shares outstanding — diluted 39,891,583 38,958,377 39,515,826 38,764,829 Diluted earnings per share of Class A common stock $ 0.54 $ 0.51 $ 1.54 $ 1.28

Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	15. Related Party Transactions As a result of the Company’s initial public offering, the Company entered into a tax receivable agreement with HFF Holdings that provides for the payment by the Company to HFF Holdings of 85% of the amount of the cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, state and local income tax that the Company actually realizes as a result of the increase in tax basis of the assets owned by HFF LP and HFF Securities and as a result of certain other tax benefits arising from entering into the tax receivable agreement and making payments under that agreement. As members of HFF Holdings, each of Mark Gibson, the Company’s chief executive officer, Jody Thornton, the Company’s president and member of the Company’s board of directors and a capital markets advisor of the Operating Partnerships, John Fowler, a current director emeritus of the Company’s board of directors and a capital markets advisor of the Operating Partnerships, and Matthew D. Lawton, Gerard T. Sansosti, Michael J. Tepedino and Manuel A. de Zarraga, each an Executive Managing Director and a capital markets advisor of the Operating Partnerships, is entitled to participate in such payments, in each case on a pro rata basis based upon such person’s ownership of interests in each series of tax receivable payments created by the initial public offering or subsequent exchange of Operating Partnership units. During the third quarter of 2017, Messrs. Gibson, Thornton, Fowler, Lawton, Sansosti, Tepedino and de Zarraga received payments of $1.1 million, $1.1 million, $0.9 million, $0.3 million, $0.5 million, $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively, in connection with the Company’s payment of $11.2 million to HFF Holdings under the tax receivable agreement. During the third quarter of 2016, Messrs. Gibson, Thornton, Fowler, Lawton, Sansosti, Tepedino and de Zarraga received payments of $0.8 million, $0.8 million, $0.7 million, $0.2 million, $0.4 million, $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively, in connection with the Company’s payment of $10.8 million to HFF Holdings under the tax receivable agreement. The Company will retain the remaining 15% of cash savings, if any, in income tax that it realizes. For purposes of the tax receivable agreement, cash savings in income tax is computed by comparing the Company’s actual income tax liability to the amount of such taxes that it would have been required to pay had there been no increase to the tax basis of the assets of HFF LP and HFF Securities allocable to the Company as a result of the initial sale and later exchanges and had the Company not entered into the tax receivable agreement. The term of the tax receivable agreement commenced upon consummation of the initial public offering and will continue until all such tax benefits have been utilized or have expired. See Note 16 for the amount recorded in relation to this agreement.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	16. Commitments and Contingencies The Company is obligated, pursuant to its tax receivable agreement with HFF Holdings, to pay to HFF Holdings 85% of the amount of cash savings in U.S. federal, state and local income tax that the Company actually realizes as a result of the increases in tax basis under Section 754 and as a result of certain other tax benefits arising from the Company entering into the tax receivable agreement and making payments under that agreement. The Company has recorded $99.7 million and $111.4 million for this obligation to HFF Holdings as a liability on the consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. In recent years, the Company has entered into arrangements with newly-hired capital markets advisors whereby these capital markets advisors would be paid additional compensation if certain performance targets are met over a defined period. These payments will be made to the capital markets advisors only if they enter into an employment agreement at the end of the performance period. Payments under these arrangements, if earned, would be paid in fiscal years 2017 through 2019. Currently, the Company cannot reasonably estimate the amounts that would be payable under all of these arrangements. The Company begins to accrue for these payments when it is deemed probable that payments will be made; therefore, on a quarterly basis, the Company evaluates the probability of each of the capital markets advisors achieving the performance targets and the probability of each of the capital markets advisors signing an employment agreement. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, $0.5 million and $0.1 million, respectively, have been accrued for these arrangements on the consolidated balance sheet.

Organization and Basis of Pre23

Organization and Basis of Presentation (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 and for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, include the accounts of HFF LP, HFF Securities, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, Holliday GP and Partnership Holdings and effective January 17, 2017, HFF Securities Limited and HFF Real Estate Limited. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. As the sole stockholder of Holliday GP (the sole general partner of the Operating Partnerships), HFF, Inc. operates and controls all of the business and affairs of the Operating Partnerships. As the indirect sole stockholder of the UK Subsidiaries, HFF, Inc. also operates and controls all of the business and affairs of the UK Subsidiaries. The Company consolidates the financial results of the Operating Partnerships and the UK Subsidiaries.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements In December 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued update 2016-19 In March 2016, the FASB issued changes to the accounting for equity compensation. This update simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. This update also permits an entity to make an election to either estimate the number of awards that are expected to vest or account for forfeitures as they occur. This update was effective for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2017 and the Company made an election to change its accounting for forfeitures from the previously-required estimation method to recognizing forfeitures when they occur. The Company recognized $0.6 million as a reduction in retained earnings on January 1, 2017 as a result of eliminating the estimated forfeiture rate on unvested restricted stock units. In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on the accounting for leases. This new guidance will require that a lessee recognize assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for all leases with a lease term of more than twelve months, with the result being the recognition of a right of use asset and a lease liability. The new lease accounting requirements are effective for the Company’s 2019 fiscal year with a modified retrospective transition approach required, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this new guidance on its consolidated financial statements. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, The Company will adopt the new standard effective January 1, 2018, and plans to use the modified retrospective approach. The Company has conducted initial analyses, developed project management procedures, assessed for adjustments to existing accounting policies, and completed detailed contract reviews to support an evaluation of the standard’s impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. As we complete our overall assessment, we are also identifying any needed changes to our business processes, systems and controls to support the new revenue recognition and disclosure requirements. Based on our evaluation to date, the Company expects the timing of revenue recognition for our equity placement services to be accelerated. The Company also expects revenue recognition disclosures to include additional detail in accordance with the new requirements. However, the Company does not expect the adoption of this accounting guidance to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements. In January 2017, FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, 2017-04 2017-04
Fair Value Measurement	ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement
Financial Instruments	FASB ASC Topic 825, Financial Instruments Cash and Cash Equivalents Warehouse line of credit
Contingencies	The Company is party to various litigation matters, in most cases involving ordinary course and routine claims incidental to its business. The Company cannot estimate with certainty its ultimate legal and financial liability with respect to any pending matters. In accordance with ASC 450, Contingencies,

Property and Equipment (Tables)

Property and Equipment (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Summary of Property and Equipment	Property and equipment consist of the following (dollars in thousands): September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Furniture and equipment $ 8,160 $ 7,667 Computer equipment 2,203 2,145 Capitalized software costs 2,561 2,043 Leasehold improvements 18,076 15,813 Subtotal 31,000 27,668 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization (14,070 ) (11,831 ) $ 16,930 $ 15,837

Intangible Assets (Tables)

Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Intangible Assets	The Company’s intangible assets are summarized as follows (dollars in thousands): September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Book Value Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Book Value Amortizable intangible assets: Mortgage servicing rights $ 81,422 $ (32,022 ) $ 49,400 $ 64,648 $ (28,034 ) $ 36,614 Other 1,038 (314 ) 724 — — — Total intangible assets $ 82,460 $ (32,336 ) $ 50,124 $ 64,648 $ (28,034 ) $ 36,614
Summary of Carrying and Fair Value of Mortgage Servicing Rights	Changes in the carrying value of mortgage servicing rights for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, were as follows (dollars in thousands): Category 12/31/16 Capitalized Amortized Sold / 9/30/17 Freddie Mac $ 16,234 $ 18,242 $ (3,621 ) $ — $ 30,855 CMBS 16,247 774 (3,006 ) — 14,015 Life company 3,567 2,150 (1,860 ) — 3,857 Life company – limited 566 376 (269 ) — 673 Total $ 36,614 $ 21,542 $ (8,756 ) $ — $ 49,400 Category 12/31/15 Capitalized Amortized Sold / 9/30/16 Freddie Mac $ 7,074 $ 8,460 $ (1,576 ) $ (2,450 ) $ 11,508 CMBS 16,768 778 (3,001 ) 1,948 16,493 Life company 2,729 2,154 (1,448 ) — 3,435 Life company – limited 351 404 (222 ) — 533 Total $ 26,922 $ 11,796 $ (6,247 ) $ (502 ) $ 31,969
Summary of Estimated Amortization Expense	Estimated amortization expense for the next five years is as follows (dollars in thousands): Remainder of 2017 $ 2,944 2018 10,720 2019 8,526 2020 6,647 2021 5,718 2022 5,062

Fair Value Measurement (Tables)

Fair Value Measurement (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Financial Assets Accounted at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	The following tables set forth the Company’s financial assets that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis by level within the fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (in thousands): September 30, 2017 Fair Value Measurements Using: Carrying Quoted Prices in Significant Other Significant Recurring fair value measurements Mortgage notes receivable $ 736,218 $ — $ 736,218 $ — Total recurring fair value measurements $ 736,218 $ — $ 736,218 $ — December 31, 2016 Fair Value Measurements Using: Carrying Quoted Prices in Significant Other Significant Recurring fair value measurements Mortgage notes receivable $ 290,933 $ — $ 290,933 $ — Total recurring fair value measurements $ 290,933 $ — $ 290,933 $ —
Financial Assets Accounted at Fair Value on Nonrecurring Basis	The following table sets forth the Company’s financial assets that were accounted for at fair value on a nonrecurring basis by level within the fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (in thousands): Nonrecurring fair value measurements: September 30, 2017 Carrying Quoted Prices in Significant Other Significant Mortgage servicing rights $ 49,400 $ — $ — $ 66,308 Total nonrecurring fair value measurements $ 49,400 $ — $ — $ 66,308 December 31, 2016 Carrying Quoted Prices in Significant Other Significant Mortgage servicing rights $ 36,614 $ — $ — $ 49,970 Total nonrecurring fair value measurements $ 36,614 $ — $ — $ 49,970
Significant Assumptions Utilized to Value Servicing Rights	The significant assumptions utilized to value servicing rights as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are as follows: September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Expected life of cash flows 3 years to 9 years 3 years to 11 years Discount rate (1) 10% to 16% 10% to 16% Prepayment rate 0% to 8% 0% to 8% Inflation rate 2% 2% Cost of service per loan $ 1,920 to $4,787 $ 1,920 to $4,997 (1) Reflects the time value of money and the risk of future cash flows related to the possible cancellation of servicing contracts, transferability restrictions on certain servicing contracts, concentration in the life company portfolio and large loan risk.

Capital Lease Obligations (Tabl

Capital Lease Obligations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Leases [Abstract]
Summary of Capital Lease Obligations	Capital lease obligations consist of the following at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (dollars in thousands): September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Capital lease obligations $ 350 $ 707 Less current maturities 303 448 $ 47 $ 259
Summary of Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Capital Leases	Capital lease obligations consist primarily of office equipment leases that expire at various dates through November 2019. A summary of future minimum lease payments under capital leases at September 30, 2017 is as follows (dollars in thousands): Remainder of 2017 $ 91 2018 218 2019 41 $350

Lease Commitments (Tables)

Lease Commitments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Future Minimum Rental Payments	Future minimum rental payments for the next five years under operating leases with noncancelable terms in excess of one year and without regard to early termination provisions are as follows (dollars in thousands): Remainder of 2017 $ 2,667 2018 10,988 2019 10,719 2020 9,913 2021 8,440 2022 6,317

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Income Tax Expense Includes Current and Deferred Taxes	Income tax expense includes current and deferred taxes as follows for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (dollars in thousands): September 30, 2017 2016 U.S. Federal: Current $ 20,175 $ 14,897 Deferred 15,901 13,528 36,076 28,425 State and Local: Current 3,620 2,925 Deferred 1,808 546 5,428 3,471 International: Current — — Deferred (911 ) — (911 ) — Total $ 40,593 $ 31,896
Summary of Income Tax Expense Allocation	The reconciliation between the income tax computed by applying the U.S. federal statutory rate and the effective tax rate on net income is as follows for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (dollars in thousands): September 30, 2017 2016 Income tax expense / (benefit) Rate Rate Taxes computed at federal rate $ 35,460 35.0 % $ 28,573 35.0 % State and local taxes, net of federal tax benefit 4,019 4.0 % 3,288 4.0 % Rate differential on non-US 541 0.5 % — — Effect of deferred rate change 476 0.5 % (1,188 ) (1.5 )% Change in income tax benefit payable to stockholder (117 ) (0.1 )% 206 0.3 % Effect of shortfalls (windfalls) related to equity compensation (1,139 ) (1.1 )% — — Provision to return adjustment (131 ) (0.1 )% 196 0.2 % Meals and entertainment 1,160 1.1 % 789 1.0 % Other 324 0.3 % 32 0.1 % Income tax expense $ 40,593 40.1 % $ 31,896 39.1 %

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Summary of Net Income and Weighted Average Shares Outstanding	The Company’s net income and weighted average shares outstanding for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 consist of the following (dollars in thousands): Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Net income $ 21,603 $ 20,020 $ 60,721 $ 49,742 Weighted Average Shares Outstanding: Basic 38,706,240 38,273,684 38,647,021 38,234,868 Diluted 39,891,583 38,958,377 39,515,826 38,764,829
Summary of Calculations of Basic and Diluted Net Income per Share	Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Basic Earnings Per Share of Class A Common Stock Numerator: Net income $ 21,603 $ 20,020 $ 60,721 $ 49,742 Denominator: Weighted average number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding 38,706,240 38,273,684 38,647,021 38,234,868 Basic net income per share of Class A common stock $ 0.56 $ 0.52 $ 1.57 $ 1.30 Diluted Earnings Per Share of Class A Common Stock Numerator: Net income $ 21,603 $ 20,020 $ 60,721 $ 49,742 Denominator: Basic weighted average number of shares of Class A common stock 38,706,240 38,273,684 38,647,021 38,234,868 Add—dilutive effect of: Unvested RSUs 1,169,444 672,888 853,467 518,127 Stock options 15,899 11,805 15,338 11,834 Weighted average common shares outstanding — diluted 39,891,583 38,958,377 39,515,826 38,764,829 Diluted earnings per share of Class A common stock $ 0.54 $ 0.51 $ 1.54 $ 1.28

Organization and Basis of Pre31

Organization and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017Officeshares	Jan. 01, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016shares	Jan. 30, 2007$ / sharesshares	Nov. 09, 2006shares
UNITED STATES
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number of offices | Office	23
London, United Kingdom [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number of offices | Office	1
IPO [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Percentage of shares purchase from Partners	44.70%
IPO [Member] | Unvested Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Reduction in retained earnings | $		$ 0.6
Class A Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock, shares authorized	175,000,000		175,000,000
Sale of common stock, shares	38,742,698		38,463,448
Class A Common Stock [Member] | HFF Holdings [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Sale of common stock, shares	38,742,698		38,463,448
Class A Common Stock [Member] | IPO [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common share proposed for public offering					14,300,000
Common stock, shares authorized				14,300,000
Initial public offering price, per share | $ / shares				$ 18
Common Class B [Member] | IPO [Member] | HFF Holdings [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Sale of common stock, shares	1

Summary of Significant Accoun32

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Office and Firm Profit Participation Plans [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Vesting period	50 months

Stock Compensation - Additional

Stock Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock compensation cost	$ 4,300	$ 2,900	$ 13,049	$ 8,941
Options, Granted	0
Options, Vested	0
Options, Forfeited	0
Options, Exercised	0
Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested restricted stock units	$ 37,000		$ 37,000
Weighted average contractual term			2 years 3 months 19 days
Restricted stock units outstanding	2,390,737		2,390,737
Number of stock units with continued vesting requirements	2,180,030		2,180,030
Restricted stock units, Granted	0
Restricted stock units vested	5,374
Restricted stock units, forfeited	12,727
Fair value of restricted stock units			$ 8,300
Restricted Stock Units [Member] | Class A Common Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock units outstanding, Converted to common stock	6,260

Property and Equipment - Summar

Property and Equipment - Summary of Property and Equipment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant, and equipment, gross	$ 31,000	$ 27,668
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(14,070)	(11,831)
Property, plant and equipment, net	16,930	15,837
Furniture and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant, and equipment, gross	8,160	7,667
Computer Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant, and equipment, gross	2,203	2,145
Capitalized Software Costs [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant, and equipment, gross	2,561	2,043
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant, and equipment, gross	$ 18,076	$ 15,813

Property and Equipment - Additi

Property and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Capital leased office equipment recorded in furniture and equipment	$ 31,000	$ 27,668
Accumulated depreciation and amortization of capital leased office equipment included in consolidated statements	14,070	11,831
Office Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Capital leased office equipment recorded in furniture and equipment	1,800	1,900
Accumulated depreciation and amortization of capital leased office equipment included in consolidated statements	$ 1,400	$ 1,200

Intangible Assets - Summary of

Intangible Assets - Summary of Intangible Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total intangible assets Gross Carrying Amount	$ 82,460	$ 64,648
Accumulated Amortization	(32,336)	(28,034)
Total intangible assets Net Book Value	50,124	36,614
Mortgage Servicing Rights [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	81,422	64,648
Accumulated Amortization	(32,022)	(28,034)
Total intangible assets Net Book Value	49,400	$ 36,614
Other [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	1,038
Accumulated Amortization	(314)
Total intangible assets Net Book Value	$ 724

Intangible Assets - Additional

Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Commercial loans serviced by the Company	$ 65,800,000		$ 65,800,000		$ 58,000,000
Servicing fees and interest earned	7,300	$ 5,800	21,000	$ 17,000
Loan served for mortgage servicing rights	64,800,000		64,800,000		56,500,000
Gain on sale of cashiering portion		0		1,800
Amortization expenses	3,500	2,200	$ 9,070	6,248
Weighted-average life of mortgage servicing rights			6 years 7 months 6 days
Mortgage Servicing Rights [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Mortgage servicing rights	49,400		$ 49,400		$ 36,614
Freddie Mac [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Mortgage servicing rights retained upon sale	6,500	2,200	18,200	8,500
Originated loans, net	1,700,000	600,000	4,300,000	2,800,000
Freddie Mac [Member] | Interest and Other Income, Net [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Securitization compensation received	3,600	1,300	8,600	4,200
CMBS [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Mortgage servicing rights acquired without exchange of initial consideration	1,200	800	3,300	3,300
Initial consideration, net	3,500,000	1,800,000	9,300,000	8,400,000
Life Company Tranches [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Mortgage servicing rights acquired without exchange of initial consideration	1,200	800	3,300	3,300
Initial consideration, net	$ 3,500,000	$ 1,800,000	$ 9,300,000	$ 8,400,000

Intangible Assets - Summary o38

Intangible Assets - Summary of Carrying and Fair Value of Mortgage Servicing Rights (Detail) - Mortgage Servicing Rights [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Opening Balance	$ 36,614	$ 26,922
Capitalized	21,542	11,796
Amortized	(8,756)	(6,247)
Sold/Transferred		(502)
Closing Balance	49,400	31,969
Freddie Mac [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Opening Balance	16,234	7,074
Capitalized	18,242	8,460
Amortized	(3,621)	(1,576)
Sold/Transferred		(2,450)
Closing Balance	30,855	11,508
CMBS [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Opening Balance	16,247	16,768
Capitalized	774	778
Amortized	(3,006)	(3,001)
Sold/Transferred		1,948
Closing Balance	14,015	16,493
Life Company [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Opening Balance	3,567	2,729
Capitalized	2,150	2,154
Amortized	(1,860)	(1,448)
Closing Balance	3,857	3,435
Life Company - Limited [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Opening Balance	566	351
Capitalized	376	404
Amortized	(269)	(222)
Closing Balance	$ 673	$ 533

Intangible Assets - Summary o39

Intangible Assets - Summary of Estimated Amortization Expense (Detail) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Maturity Schedule [Abstract]
Remainder of 2017	$ 2,944
2,018	10,720
2,019	8,526
2,020	6,647
2,021	5,718
2,022	$ 5,062

Fair Value Measurement - Financ

Fair Value Measurement - Financial Assets Accounted at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Carrying Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Mortgage notes receivable	$ 736,218	$ 290,933
Total recurring fair value measurements	736,218	290,933
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Mortgage notes receivable	736,218	290,933
Total recurring fair value measurements	$ 736,218	$ 290,933

Fair Value Measurement - Fina41

Fair Value Measurement - Financial Assets Accounted at Fair Value on Nonrecurring Basis (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Carrying Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total nonrecurring fair value measurements	$ 49,400	$ 36,614
Carrying Value [Member] | Mortgage Servicing Rights [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total nonrecurring fair value measurements	49,400	36,614
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total nonrecurring fair value measurements	66,308	49,970
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Mortgage Servicing Rights [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total nonrecurring fair value measurements	$ 66,308	$ 49,970

Fair Value Measurement - Signif

Fair Value Measurement - Significant Assumptions Utilized to Value Servicing Rights (Detail) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Minimum [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Expected life of cash flows	3 years	3 years
Discount rate	10.00%	10.00%
Prepayment rate	0.00%	0.00%
Cost of service per loan	$ 1,920	$ 1,920
Maximum [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Expected life of cash flows	9 years	11 years
Discount rate	16.00%	16.00%
Prepayment rate	8.00%	8.00%
Inflation rate	2.00%	2.00%
Cost of service per loan	$ 4,787	$ 4,997

Capital Lease Obligations - Sum

Capital Lease Obligations - Summary of Capital Lease Obligations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Capital Lease Obligations [Abstract]
Capital lease obligations	$ 350	$ 707
Less current maturities	303	448
Capital lease obligations, non current maturities	$ 47	$ 259

Capital Lease Obligation - Addi

Capital Lease Obligation - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Leases [Abstract]
Lease Expiration Date	Nov. 30, 2019

Capital Lease Obligation - Summ

Capital Lease Obligation - Summary of Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Capital Leases (Detail) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Remainder of 2017	$ 91
2,018	218
2,019	41
Total	$ 350

Warehouse Line of Credit - Addi

Warehouse Line of Credit - Additional Information (Detail)	5 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Feb. 15, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)Warehouse_Line_of_Credit	Oct. 02, 2017USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2017USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Number of warehouse line of credit facilities | Warehouse_Line_of_Credit		2
Warehouse line of credit outstanding amount		$ 734,200,000				$ 291,000,000
Line of credit interest rate at the end of the period		1.23%				0.62%
LIBOR rate duration period		30 days
Line of credit interest rate description		Interest on the warehouse lines of credit is at the 30-day LIBOR rate (1.23% and 0.62% at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively) plus a spread. HFF LP is also paid interest on the mortgage note receivable secured by a multifamily loan at the rate in the Freddie Mac note.
PNC Bank, N.A. [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Uncommitted financing arrangement		$ 600,000,000			$ 450,000,000
Maximum capacity		1,500,000,000
PNC Bank, N.A. [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum capacity			$ 2,000,000,000
PNC Bank, N.A. [Member] | Temporary Increase To Line Of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum uncommitted financing arrangement		$ 800,000,000
Maximum uncommitted financing arrangement expiration period		30 days
PNC Bank, N.A. [Member] | Scenario, Forecast [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum capacity	$ 1,500,000,000
Huntington Bank [Member] | Temporary Increase To Line Of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Uncommitted financing arrangement		$ 125,000,000		$ 150,000,000
Maximum uncommitted financing arrangement		$ 175,000,000
Maximum uncommitted financing arrangement expiration period		45 days
Frequency of temporary increases | Warehouse_Line_of_Credit		3
Huntington Bank [Member] | Scenario, Forecast [Member] | Temporary Increase To Line Of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum uncommitted financing arrangement	$ 175,000,000

Lease Commitments - Additional

Lease Commitments - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Total rental expense	$ 3.2	$ 3	$ 10.2	$ 8.6
Lease expiration year			2,019
Maximum [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Operating lease terms			11 years
Reduced operating lease terms			7 years
Minimum [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Operating lease terms			3 years
Reduced operating lease terms			2 years

Lease Commitments - Summary of

Lease Commitments - Summary of Future Minimum Rental Payments (Detail) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Remainder of 2017	$ 2,667
2,018	10,988
2,019	10,719
2,020	9,913
2,021	8,440
2,022	$ 6,317

Servicing - Additional Informat

Servicing - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Transfers and Servicing [Abstract]
Unpaid principal balance of servicing portfolio of commercial real estate loan	$ 65,800	$ 58,000
Funds held in escrow	$ 252.6	$ 182.3

Income Taxes - Summary of Incom

Income Taxes - Summary of Income Tax Expense Includes Current and Deferred Taxes (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
U.S. Federal:
Current			$ 20,175	$ 14,897
Deferred			15,901	13,528
Total			36,076	28,425
State and Local:
Current			3,620	2,925
Deferred			1,808	546
Total			5,428	3,471
International:
Current			0	0
Deferred			(911)
Total			(911)
Income tax expense	$ 15,726	$ 12,260	$ 40,593	$ 31,896

Income Taxes - Summary of Inc51

Income Taxes - Summary of Income Tax Expense Allocation (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Taxes computed at federal rate			$ 35,460	$ 28,573
State and local taxes, net of federal tax benefit			4,019	3,288
Rate differential on non-US income			541
Effect of deferred rate change			476	(1,188)
Change in income tax benefit payable to stockholder			(117)	206
Effect of shortfalls (windfalls) related to equity compensation			(1,139)
Provision to return adjustment			(131)	196
Meals and entertainment			1,160	789
Other			324	32
Income tax expense	$ 15,726	$ 12,260	$ 40,593	$ 31,896
Taxes computed at federal rate, Percentage			35.00%	35.00%
State and local taxes, net of federal tax benefit, Percentage			4.00%	4.00%
Rate differential on non-US income, Percentage			0.50%	(1.50%)
Effect of deferred rate change, Percentage			0.50%	(1.50%)
Change in income tax benefit payable to stockholder, Percentage			(0.10%)	0.30%
Effect of shortfalls (windfalls) related to equity compensation, Percentage			(1.10%)
Provision to return adjustment, Percentage			(0.10%)	0.20%
Meals and entertainment, Percentage			1.10%	1.00%
Other, Percentage			0.30%	0.10%
Income tax expense, Total Percentage			40.10%	39.10%

Stockholders Equity - Additiona

Stockholders Equity - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Feb. 21, 2017	Feb. 09, 2017	Jan. 24, 2017	Feb. 19, 2016	Feb. 08, 2016	Jan. 22, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Aggregate dividend paid							$ 60,017	$ 68,362
Class A Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock, shares authorized							175,000,000		175,000,000
Common stock, par value							$ 0.01		$ 0.01
Voting rights per common stock							1
Common stock, shares issued							38,742,698		38,463,448
Class A Common Stock [Member] | Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Restricted stock granted for unvested and vested but not issued		95,648			82,536
Class A Common Stock [Member] | HFF Holdings [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock, shares issued							38,742,698		38,463,448
Special cash dividend			$ 1.57			$ 1.80
Dividends payable, date of record			Feb. 9, 2017			Feb. 8, 2016
Dividends payable, declaration date			Jan. 24, 2017			Jan. 22, 2016
Dividends payable, payment date			Feb. 21, 2017			Feb. 19, 2016
Aggregate dividend paid	$ 60,000			$ 68,400

Earnings Per Share - Summary of

Earnings Per Share - Summary of Net Income and Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income	$ 21,603	$ 20,020	$ 60,721	$ 49,742
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:
Basic	38,706,240	38,273,684	38,647,021	38,234,868
Diluted	39,891,583	38,958,377	39,515,826	38,764,829

Earnings Per Share - Additional

Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail) - shares	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Stock units and stock options included in weighted average shares	210,707	189,385	210,707	189,385
Stock Options [Member]
Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Stock units and stock options included in weighted average shares	0	0	0	0

Earnings Per Share - Summary 55

Earnings Per Share - Summary of Calculations of Basic and Diluted Net Income per Share (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Numerator:
Net income	$ 21,603	$ 20,020	$ 60,721	$ 49,742
Denominator:
Basic weighted average number of shares of Class A common stock	38,706,240	38,273,684	38,647,021	38,234,868
Add-dilutive effect of:
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted	39,891,583	38,958,377	39,515,826	38,764,829
Basic net income per share of Class A common stock	$ 0.56	$ 0.52	$ 1.57	$ 1.30
Diluted earnings per share of Class A common stock	$ 0.54	$ 0.51	$ 1.54	$ 1.28
Basic Earnings Per Share of Class A Common Stock [Member] | Class A Common Stock [Member]
Numerator:
Net income	$ 21,603	$ 20,020	$ 60,721	$ 49,742
Denominator:
Basic weighted average number of shares of Class A common stock	38,706,240	38,273,684	38,647,021	38,234,868
Add-dilutive effect of:
Basic net income per share of Class A common stock	$ 0.56	$ 0.52	$ 1.57	$ 1.30
Diluted Earnings Per Share of Class A Common Stock [Member] | Class A Common Stock [Member]
Numerator:
Net income	$ 21,603	$ 20,020	$ 60,721	$ 49,742
Denominator:
Basic weighted average number of shares of Class A common stock	38,706,240	38,273,684	38,647,021	38,234,868
Add-dilutive effect of:
Unvested RSUs	1,169,444	672,888	853,467	518,127
Stock options	15,899	11,805	15,338	11,834
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted	39,891,583	38,958,377	39,515,826	38,764,829
Diluted earnings per share of Class A common stock	$ 0.54	$ 0.51	$ 1.54	$ 1.28

Earnings Per Share - Summary 56

Earnings Per Share - Summary of Calculations of Basic and Diluted Net Income per Share (Parenthetical) (Detail) - shares	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Stock units and stock options included in weighted average shares	210,707	189,385	210,707	189,385
Stock Options [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Stock units and stock options included in weighted average shares	0	0	0	0

Related Party Transactions - Ad

Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Payments under the tax receivable agreement			$ 11,241	$ 10,824
Percentage of retained cash savings in income tax	15.00%		15.00%
HFF Holdings [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of tax receivable agreement			85.00%
Payments under the tax receivable agreement	$ 11,200	$ 10,800
Chief Executive Officer [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Payments under the tax receivable agreement	1,100	800
Gibson [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Payments under the tax receivable agreement	1,100	800
Thornton [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Payments under the tax receivable agreement	900	700
Fowler [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Payments under the tax receivable agreement	300	200
Lawton [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Payments under the tax receivable agreement	500	400
Sansosti [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Payments under the tax receivable agreement	200	200
Tepedino and de Zarraga [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Payments under the tax receivable agreement	$ 300	$ 200

Commitments and Contingencies -

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Summary Of Commitments And Contingent Liabilities [Line Items]
Accrued additional compensation to newly hired transaction professionals	$ 0.5	$ 0.1
Minimum [Member]
Summary Of Commitments And Contingent Liabilities [Line Items]
Payments under compensation arrangement, Period	2,017
Maximum [Member]
Summary Of Commitments And Contingent Liabilities [Line Items]
Payments under compensation arrangement, Period	2,019
HFF Holdings [Member]
Summary Of Commitments And Contingent Liabilities [Line Items]
Amount of cash savings to HFF holdings	85.00%
Liability to HFF Holdings	$ 99.7	$ 111.4
Federal [Member]
Summary Of Commitments And Contingent Liabilities [Line Items]
Amount of cash savings to HFF holdings	85.00%
State and Local Income Tax [Member]
Summary Of Commitments And Contingent Liabilities [Line Items]
Amount of cash savings to HFF holdings	85.00%