HFF 10-Q 6 Nov 18 2018 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Oct. 29, 2018
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,018
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 Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Class A Shares Outstanding		39,116,745

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 239,563	$ 272,801
Restricted cash	865	4,001
Accounts receivable	9,918	2,272
Mortgage notes receivable	634,298	450,821
Prepaid taxes	1,204	978
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	17,975	16,575
Total current assets	903,823	747,448
Property and equipment, net	17,532	17,897
Deferred tax asset, net	42,585	50,874
Goodwill	8,581	8,688
Intangible assets, net	64,549	58,837
Securities - held to maturity	25,000
Other noncurrent assets	11,075	8,461
Total Assets	1,073,145	892,205
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	3,928	269
Warehouse line of credit	632,546	450,255
Accrued compensation and related taxes	56,023	52,574
Accounts payable	1,363	3,527
Payable under tax receivable agreement	8,313	11,838
Other current liabilities	16,794	25,338
Total current liabilities	718,967	543,801
Deferred rent credit	12,425	12,700
Payable under the tax receivable agreement, less current portion	41,977	49,101
Long-term debt, less current portion	84	136
Total liabilities	773,453	605,738
Stockholders’ equity:
Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 175,000,000 authorized; 39,143,253 and 38,742,698 shares issued, respectively; 39,116,745 and 38,579,544 shares outstanding, respectively	391	387
Treasury stock, 26,508 and 163,154 shares at cost, respectively	(1,220)	(4,971)
Additional paid-in-capital	153,345	144,304
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	(340)	171
Retained earnings	147,516	146,576
Total equity	299,692	286,467
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 1,073,145	$ 892,205

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	175,000,000	175,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	39,143,253	38,742,698
Common stock, shares outstanding	39,116,745	38,579,544
Treasury Stock, Shares	26,508	163,154

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Revenues
Capital markets services revenue	$ 156,856	$ 142,857	$ 430,905	$ 409,285
Interest on mortgage notes receivable	3,315	4,325	12,828	12,041
Other	1,223	840	3,010	2,866
Total revenues	161,394	148,022	446,743	424,192
Expenses
Cost of services	90,700	84,020	254,948	243,441
Personnel	18,033	15,109	59,047	44,731
Occupancy	3,991	3,959	11,924	12,331
Travel and entertainment	4,169	4,294	15,562	14,003
Supplies, research, and printing	2,719	2,269	7,479	6,065
Insurance	751	630	2,172	1,853
Professional fees	1,852	1,693	5,526	5,306
Depreciation and amortization	6,632	4,563	17,926	12,262
Interest on warehouse line of credit	2,749	3,473	10,536	9,129
Other operating	3,825	3,366	11,414	10,264
Total expenses	135,421	123,376	396,534	359,385
Operating income	25,973	24,646	50,209	64,807
Interest and other income, net	14,305	12,209	41,219	36,045
Interest expense	(3)	(5)	(12)	(17)
(Increase) decrease in payable under the tax receivable agreement	(1,226)	479	(1,226)	479
Income before income taxes	39,049	37,329	90,190	101,314
Income tax expense	9,432	15,726	19,166	40,593
Net income	29,617	21,603	71,024	60,721
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(192)	(44)	(511)	(81)
Comprehensive income	$ 29,425	$ 21,559	$ 70,513	$ 60,640
Earnings per share - Basic and Diluted
Earnings per share available to HFF, Inc. common stockholders - Basic	$ 0.75	$ 0.56	$ 1.81	$ 1.57
Earnings per share available to HFF, Inc. common stockholders - Diluted	$ 0.73	$ 0.54	$ 1.77	$ 1.54

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 (Loss)/Income [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]
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
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(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
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2017	286,467	$ 387	$ (4,971)	144,304	171	146,576
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2017		38,579,544	163,154
Cumulative effect of adoption of new accounting standard	1,304					1,304
Stock compensation and other, net	23,304			23,304
Issuance of Class A common stock, net	45	$ 4	$ 17,920	(17,879)
Issuance of Class A common stock, net, shares		837,981	(437,426)
Repurchase of Class A common stock	(14,169)		$ (14,169)
Repurchase of Class A common stock, shares		(300,780)	300,780
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(511)				(511)
Dividends paid	(67,772)			3,616		(71,388)
Net income	71,024					71,024
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2018	$ 299,692	$ 391	$ (1,220)	$ 153,345	$ (340)	$ 147,516
Ending balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2018		39,116,745	26,508

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Operating activities
Net income	$ 71,024	$ 60,721
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Stock based compensation	18,868	13,049
Deferred taxes	8,370	16,798
Increase (decrease) in payable under the tax receivable agreement	1,226	(479)
Depreciation	3,417	3,191
Amortization	14,509	9,070
Gain on sale or disposition of assets, net	(18,700)	(20,178)
Mortgage service rights assumed	(2,706)	(3,300)
Increase (decrease) in cash from changes in:
Accounts receivable	(5,039)	(87)
Payable under the tax receivable agreement	(11,875)	(11,241)
Mortgage notes receivable	(182,291)	(443,264)
Net borrowings on warehouse line of credit	182,291	443,264
Prepaid taxes, prepaid expenses and other current assets	(1,626)	(233)
Other noncurrent assets	2,874	(4,022)
Accrued compensation and related taxes	6,501	7,342
Accounts payable	(2,164)	(747)
Other current liabilities	(8,544)	(5,757)
Deferred rent	(275)	(931)
Net cash provided by operating activities	75,860	63,196
Investing activities
Purchases of property and equipment	(3,052)	(4,355)
Purchase of securities and other investments	(26,688)
Purchase of businesses		(6,230)
Net cash used in investing activities	(29,740)	(10,585)
Financing activities
Payments on long-term debt	(193)	(357)
Proceeds from stock options exercised	45
Dividends paid	(67,772)	(60,017)
Treasury stock	(14,169)	(5,933)
Net cash used in financing activities	(82,089)	(66,307)
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash	(405)	(81)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash	(36,374)	(13,777)
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period	276,802	235,582
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period	$ 240,428	$ 221,805

Organization and Basis of Prese

Organization and Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
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 wholly-owned subsidiaries, 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 and HFF Securities Limited, in the United Kingdom, 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 25 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 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 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 completed its initial public offering (“IPO”) and the Company’s Class A Common Stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “HF” in the first quarter of 2007. The proceeds of the initial public offering, including the exercise of the underwriter’s option to purchase additional shares, were used to purchase from HFF Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“HFF Holdings”), all of the shares of Holliday GP Corp. (“Holliday GP”) and purchase from HFF Holdings partnership units of the Operating Partnerships (including partnership units in the Operating Partnerships held by Holliday GP). HFF Holdings used a portion of its proceeds to repay all outstanding indebtedness under HFF LP’s credit agreement. Accordingly, the Company did not retain any of the proceeds from the initial public offering. In addition to cash received for its sale of all of the shares of Holliday GP and approximately 45% 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 HFF, Inc.’s Class B common stock to HFF Holdings, an exchange right that permitted, subject to certain restrictions, 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 (the “TRA”). See Notes 16 and 17 for further discussion of the tax receivable agreement. As a result of the reorganization in connection with the IPO, the Company became a holding company through a series of transactions pursuant to a sale and purchase agreement. As a result of the IPO and reorganization, the Company’s sole assets were partnership interests in Operating Partnerships (that are held through its wholly-owned subsidiary HFF Partnership Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Partnership Holdings”) and all of the shares of Holliday GP, the sole general partner of each of the Operating Partnerships. The transactions that occurred in connection with the IPO and reorganization are referred to as the “Reorganization Transactions.” The Reorganization Transactions were treated, for financial reporting purposes, as a reorganization of entities under common control. As of August 31, 2012, HFF Holdings had utilized its Exchange Right to exchange all of its remaining interests in the Operating Partnerships and therefore the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, became and continues to be the sole equity holder of the Operating Partnerships. Basis of Presentation The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of HFF LP, HFF Securities, HFF Real Estate Limited and HFF Securities Limited, as well as the Company’s additional wholly-owned subsidiaries, Holliday GP, Partnership Holdings and HFF InvestCo LLC. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” and subsequently issued a series of amendments to the new revenue standard (“Topic 606”). Topic 606 supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in FASB ASC Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition,” and most industry-specific guidance. Topic 606 implements a five-step model for determining when and how revenue is recognized along with expanded disclosure requirements. Under the model, an entity will be required to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount reflecting the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. Topic 606 also permits two methods of adoption: retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented (full retrospective method) or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized at the date of initial application (modified retrospective method). The Company adopted the requirements of the new standard on January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective approach. Under this method, the Company could elect to apply the cumulative effect method to either all contracts as of the date of initial application or only to contracts that are not complete as of that date. The Company elected to apply the modified retrospective method to contracts that are not complete as of the date of initial application. Comparative information has not been adjusted and continues to be reported under the prior revenue recognition accounting guidance. The Company recorded a $1.3 million cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings related to the adoption of the new standard. As a result of the adoption of Topic 606, the Company now estimates the variable consideration associated with equity capital raising fees and recognizes the revenue once the constraint on revenue is lifted, which generally occurs once capital is committed. For additional information regarding the adoption of Topic 606, refer to Note 2 within the notes to the financial statements. 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 has completed the evaluation of its existing lease portfolio, including accumulating all of the necessary information required to properly account for the leases under the new standard and is now working toward implementation of the new standard. The Company continues to evaluate additional changes to the processes and internal controls to ensure the standard’s reporting disclosure requirements are met. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements. In June 2016, the FASB issued its final standard on measurement of credit losses on financial instruments. This standard, issued as ASU 2016-13, requires that an entity measure impairment of certain financial instruments, including trade receivables, based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. This update is effective for annual and interim financial statement periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for financial statement periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating this standard to determine the impact of adoption on its consolidated financial statements. In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, “Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting”. ASU 2017-09 clarifies when changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award must be accounted for as modifications. The guidance is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption permitted. The adoption of ASU 2017-09 had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07 “Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-based Payment Accounting”, to simplify the accounting for share–based payments granted to nonemployees by aligning the accounting with the requirements for employee share–based compensation. ASU 2018-07 is effective for the Company beginning in fiscal 2019, inc luding interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13 “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for the Fair Value Measurement. The update eliminates the disclosure requirements associated with (a) the amount and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, (b) policies related to the timing and transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy and (c) the valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 will require disclosures related to the range and weighted averages used to develop significant unobservable inputs for Level 3 fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 is effective for the Company on January 1, 2020 with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

Summary of Significant Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
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 and Article 10 of Regulation S-X and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments consisting of normal and recurring entries considered necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented have been included. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts in the financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates are based on information available as of the date of the unaudited consolidated financial statements. Therefore, actual results could differ from those estimates. Furthermore, operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the year ending December 31, 2018. Revenue Recognition. Substantially all of the Company’s revenues are derived from capital markets services. These capital markets services revenues are in the form of fees collected from the Company’s clients, usually negotiated on a transaction-by-transaction basis, which includes origination fees, investment advisory fees earned for brokering sales of commercial real estate, loan sales and loan servicing fees. The Company also earns interest on mortgage notes receivable during the period between the origination of the loan and the subsequent sale to Freddie Mac in connection with the Company’s participation in the Freddie Mac Program. Total Revenues: Capital markets services revenues . The Company earns its capital markets services revenue through the following activities and sources: • Origination fees • Investment advisory fees • Loan sales The Company’s contracts are generally negotiated on a transaction-by-transaction basis with a success-based fee awarded upon the satisfaction of the origination, sale, referral, placement or equity raise. The Company’s agreements generally include such success-based fees for services that are performed over time under one performance obligation. The variable consideration associated with the successful outcome remains constrained until the completion of the transaction, generally at the closing of the applicable financing or funding of the transaction. Once the constraint is lifted, revenue is recognized as the Company’s fee agreements do not include terms or conditions that require the Company to perform any service or fulfill any obligation once the transaction closes. The substantial majority of the Company’s transactions are completed within one year and the Company has utilized the practical expedients within Topic 606 related to financing components and costs of obtaining a contract due to the short-term nature of the contracts. • Loan servicing fees. The revenues associated with loan servicing fees are accounted for in accordance with Topic 860, Transfers and Servicing Interest on mortgage notes receivable. The Company recognizes interest income on the accrual basis during the holding period based on the contract interest rate in the loan that is to be purchased by Freddie Mac in connection with the Company’s participation in the Freddie Mac Multifamily Approved Seller/Servicer for Conventional and Senior Housing Loans program (“Freddie Mac Program”), provided that the debt service is paid by the borrower. Other . Certain of the Company’s fee agreements provide for reimbursement of transaction-related costs which the Company recognizes as other revenue. Reimbursements received from clients for out-of-pocket expenses are characterized as revenue in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income rather than as a reduction of expenses incurred. Because the Company is the primary obligor, has supplier discretion, and bears the credit risk for such expenses, the Company records reimbursement revenue for such out-of-pocket expenses. Reimbursement revenue is recognized over time based upon the measure of progress to completion. Disaggregation of Revenue The Company disaggregates its revenue from contracts with customers by its multiple platforms, as the Company believes it best depicts how the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of the Company’s revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors. The following table provides a reconciliation of the Company’s revenue recognized under Topic 606 to the Company’s consolidated revenues: Revenue Category Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 (2) Debt placement origination fees $ 62,090 $ 182,178 Equity placement origination fees 14,572 40,998 Investment advisory fees 70,273 179,210 Loan sales 1,105 2,851 Capital Markets Services Revenue recognized under Topic 606 148,040 405,237 Loan servicing fees 8,816 25,668 Capital markets services revenue 156,856 430,905 Interest on mortgage notes receivable 3,315 12,828 Other (1) 1,223 3,010 Total revenue $ 161,394 $ 446,743 (1)- Other revenues are recognized under Topic 606 (2)- The nine months ended September 30, 2018 revenue totals reflect reclassifications of certain revenues in the second quarter of 2018 related to (a) an increase of $6.6 million in debt placement origination fees and (b) reductions of (i) $0.9 million in equity placement origination fees, (ii) $4.6 million in investment sales fees and (iii) $1.1 million in loan sales. Firm and Office Profit Participation Plans and Executive Bonus Plan. 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 , the expense associated with the estimated share-based component of the estimated incentive payout is recognized before the grant date of the share-based awards due to the fact that the terms of the Plans have been approved by the Company’s board of directors, the employees of the Company understand the requirements to earn the award, the number of shares is not determined before the grant date and, finally, if the performance metrics are not met during the performance year, the award is not earned and therefore forfeited. Prior to the grant date, the share-based component expense is recorded as incentive compensation expense within personnel expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Following the award, if any, of the related incentive payout, the share-based component expense is reclassified as stock compensation costs within personnel expenses and the share-based component of the accrued incentive compensation is reclassified as additional paid-in-capital upon the granting of the awards on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Plans allow for payment to be made in both cash and share-based awards. The cash portion of the awards will not be subject to time-based vesting conditions and will be expensed during the performance year. The share-based portion of the awards is subject to a three-year time-based vesting schedule beginning on the first anniversary of the grant (which is made in the first calendar quarter of the subsequent year). As a result, the total expense for the share-based portion of the awards is recorded over the period from the beginning of the performance year through the vesting date, or 50 months.

Stock Compensation

Stock Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased 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, 2018 was $6.3 million and $18.9 million, respectively, which is recorded in personnel expenses in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Stock compensation cost for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $4.3 million and $13.0 million, respectively. At September 30, 2018, there was approximately $43.7 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested restricted stock units with a weighted average remaining contractual term of 2.0 years. As of September 30, 2018, there were 2,364,687 restricted stock units outstanding, of which 2,134,385 have continued vesting requirements. During the three-month period ended September 30, 2018, no options were granted, vested, exercised or forfeited. During the three-month period ended September 30, 2018, no new restricted stock units were granted, 5,579 restricted stock units vested of which 5,579 were converted to Class A common stock, and 1,139 restricted stock units were forfeited. The fair value of vested restricted stock units was $9.8 million at September 30, 2018.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]
Property and Equipment	4. Property and Equipment Property and equipment consist of the following: September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 (in thousands) Furniture and equipment $ 8,848 $ 8,192 Computer equipment 2,139 2,139 Capitalized software costs 3,263 2,567 Leasehold improvements 20,937 19,536 Subtotal 35,187 32,434 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization (17,655 ) (14,537 ) $ 17,532 $ 17,897 At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company has recorded, within furniture and equipment, office equipment under capital leases of $1.5 million and $1.7 million, respectively, including accumulated amortization of $1.3 million and $1.3 million, respectively, which is included within depreciation and amortization expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Business Combinations, Goodwill

Business Combinations, Goodwill and Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Business Combinations, Goodwill and Intangible Assets	5. Business Combinations, Goodwill and Intangible Assets During the first quarter of 2017, the Company completed two acquisitions for approximately $6.2 million, net of cash acquired. The acquired businesses are based in New York and the United Kingdom and provide capital advisory and investment banking services to the commercial real estate market. The fair value of consideration transferred was allocated to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the acquisition date, with the remaining unallocated amount recognized as goodwill. The goodwill represents the expected synergies and the Company’s ability to control the assembled workforces of the acquired businesses and approximately $1.8 million is deductible for tax purposes. The Company’s goodwill at September 30, 2018 is summarized as follows (in thousands): Balance at December 31, 2017 $ 8,688 Additions through acquisitions - Foreign currency translation (107 ) Balance at September 30, 2018 $ 8,581 The Company performs goodwill impairment tests annually during the fourth quarter, and also performs interim goodwill impairment tests if it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than the carrying amount. No goodwill impairment test was required for the three-month period ended September 30, 2018. The Company’s intangible assets are summarized as follows: September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Book Value Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Book Value (in thousands) Intangible assets: Mortgage servicing rights $ 104,642 $ (40,328 ) $ 64,314 $ 92,856 $ (34,373 ) $ 58,483 Other 947 (712 ) 235 959 (605 ) 354 Total intangible assets $ 105,589 $ (41,040 ) $ 64,549 $ 93,815 $ (34,978 ) $ 58,837 The Company’s intangible assets consist of mortgage servicing rights, non-competition agreements and customer relationships. The non-competition agreements and customer relationships intangible assets relate to the acquisitions completed during the first quarter of 2017 and were assigned a five- and one-year useful life, respectively. As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company serviced $76.0 billion and $69.8 billion, respectively, of commercial loans. The Company earned $8.8 million and $25.7 million in servicing fees for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively. The Company earned $7.3 and $21.0 million in servicing fees for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. These revenues are recorded within 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 months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, were as follows (dollars in thousands): Category December 31, 2017 Capitalized Amortized September 30, 2018 Freddie Mac $ 40,468 $ 17,514 $ (9,312 ) $ 48,670 CMBS 13,514 817 (2,664 ) 11,667 Life company 3,833 1,728 (2,070 ) 3,491 Life company – limited 668 161 (343 ) 486 Total $ 58,483 $ 20,220 $ (14,389 ) $ 64,314 Category December 31, 2016 Capitalized Amortized September 30, 2017 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 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 $4.7 million and $17.5 million on $0.9 billion and $4.0 billion of loans, respectively, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively and $6.5 million and $18.2 million on $1.7 billion and $4.3 billion of loans during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. The Company recorded mortgage servicing rights acquired without the exchange of initial consideration on the CMBS and Life company tranches of $0.9 million and $2.7 million on $2.1 billion and $8.1 billion of loans during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively and $1.2 million and $3.3 million on $3.5 billion and $9.3 billion of loans during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. The Company also received securitization compensation in relation to the securitization of certain Freddie Mac mortgage servicing rights in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 of $2.2 million and $10.3 million, respectively and $3.6 million and $8.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, 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 $5.4 million and $14.5 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively and $3.5 million and $9.1 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively and is recorded in depreciation and amortization in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Estimated amortization expense for the remainder of 2018 and the following five years is as follows (dollars in thousands): Remainder of 2018 $ 3,717 2019 13,008 2020 10,868 2021 9,146 2022 8,113 2023 7,140 The weighted-average life of the mortgage servicing rights intangible asset was 6.7 years at September 30, 2018

Fair Value Measurement

Fair Value Measurement	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
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” a specified interest rate. To mitigate the effect of the interest rate risk inherent in providing rate lock commitments to borrowers, the Company enters into a sale commitment with Freddie Mac simultaneously with the rate lock commitment with the borrower. The terms of the contract with Freddie Mac and the rate lock with the borrower are matched in substantially all respects to eliminate interest rate risk. Both the rate lock commitments to borrowers and the forward sale contracts to Freddie Mac are undesignated derivatives with level 2 inputs and, accordingly, are marked to fair value through earnings. The impact on the Company’s financial position and earnings resulting from loan commitments is not significant. The Company elected the fair value option for all mortgage notes receivable originated after January 1, 2016 to eliminate the impact of the variability in interest rate movements on the value of the mortgage notes receivable. 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, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands): Recurring fair value measurements Fair Value Measurements Using: September 30, 2018 Carrying Value Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Mortgage notes receivable $ 634,298 $ — $ 634,298 $ — Total recurring fair value measurements $ 634,298 $ — $ 634,298 $ — Fair Value Measurements Using: December 31, 2017 Carrying Value Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Mortgage notes receivable $ 450,821 $ — $ 450,821 $ — Total recurring fair value measurements $ 450,821 $ — $ 450,821 $ — 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. 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, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands): Nonrecurring fair value measurements: Fair Value Measurements Using: September 30, 2018 Carrying Value Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Mortgage servicing rights $ 64,314 $ — $ — $ 82,636 Total nonrecurring fair value measurements $ 64,314 $ — $ — $ 82,636 Fair Value Measurements Using: December 31, 2017 Carrying Value Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Mortgage servicing rights $ 58,483 $ — $ — $ 75,899 Total nonrecurring fair value measurements $ 58,483 $ — $ — $ 75,899 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 remeasured at fair value as of September 30, 2018 because the Company continues to utilize the amortization method under ASC 860 and the fair value of the mortgage servicing rights exceeds the carrying value at September 30, 2018. Mortgage servicing rights do not trade in an active, open market with readily-available observable prices. Since observable inputs do not exist to determine the 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 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, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are as follows: September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Expected life of cash flows 3 years to 10 years 3 years to 10 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 $4,748 $1,920 to $4,780 (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. The Company’s financial instruments also include cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, securities held to maturity, a note payable and warehouse lines of credit. The cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash balances include accounts with maturities of less than three months and therefore, the carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short-term maturities of these instruments. The cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash accounts are classified as Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy. The Company’s $25.0 million investment in securities held to maturity are classified as level 2 within the fair value hierarchy and carried at amortized cost. The securities are required to be redeemed upon the completion of the three-year term of the Risk Transfer Agreement, as defined in Note 8, and will be redeemed for $25.0 million. The note payable is classified as level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. The warehouse line of credit is a short-term facility with variable interest rates and therefore, fair value approximates carrying value. The warehouse line of credit is classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.

Joint Venture

Joint Venture	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Equity Method Investments And Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Joint Venture	7. Joint Venture On September 17, 2018, one of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries entered into a securities purchase agreement to facilitate the Company’s $5.5 million investment in Kensington CA, LLC, a third-party provider of service offerings related to derivative product transactions (the “Joint Venture”). Pursuant to the securities purchase agreement and the operating agreement of the Joint Venture, to which the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, HFF InvestCo LLC, is a party, the Company indirectly owns a 50% interest in the Joint Venture and is entitled to a 50% interest in the profits and losses of the Joint Venture. The Company’s investment in the Joint Venture is subject to a customary post-closing purchase price adjustments and is recorded within other noncurrent assets. The consideration paid by the Company at closing consisted of approximately $1.7 million in cash and a note payable of $3.8 million, which matures January 15, 2019. Through the Company’s 50% interest in the Joint Venture, the Company has the ability to exert significant influence over the Joint Venture but does not have control. As such, the Joint Venture is accounted for as an equity method investment. Profits and losses of the Joint Venture are recorded within other income and were not material for the three months ended September 30, 2018.

Securities Held-to-Maturity

Securities Held-to-Maturity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]
Securities Held-to-Maturity	8. Securities Held-to-Maturity On July 2, 2018, the Company invested $25.0 million in mandatorily redeemable preferred stock of M&T Realty Capital Corporation (“M&T-RCC”) in connection with a risk transfer agreement entered into between the Company and M&T-RCC (the “Risk Transfer Agreement”), which is expected to enable the Company to increase the Company’s share of Fannie Mae’s Delegated Underwriting and Servicing (“DUS®”) business. Through the Risk Transfer Agreement, the Company sources multifamily property loans to M&T-RCC, which funds the loans through its Fannie Mae DUS® loan platform. In connection with the Risk Transfer Agreement, the Company indemnifies M&T-RCC for their credit recourse obligations associated with loans originated under the Risk Transfer Agreement. In addition to the $25.0 million investment, the Company deposits a portion of the original principal balance for each loan originated under the Risk Transfer Agreement to serve as collateral for any potential future indemnification obligations. As of September 30, 2018 the collateral deposits were not material to the Company’s consolidated financial position. For additional information on the Company’s indemnification obligation under the Risk Transfer Agreement see Note 17.

Warehouse Line of Credit

Warehouse Line of Credit	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Warehouse Line of Credit	9. Warehouse Line of Credit HFF LP maintains two uncommitted warehouse revolving lines of credit for the purpose of funding Freddie Mac mortgage loans that it originates under the 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 amended during the third quarter of 2017 to increase the uncommitted amount from $450 million to $600 million, which can be increased to $1.0 billion for the remainder of 2018. On October 1, 2018, HFF LP entered into an extended funding agreement with Freddie Mac (the “Extended Funding Agreement”) whereby Freddie Mac can extend the required purchase date for each mortgage that has an Original Funding Date (as defined in the Extended Funding Agreement) occurring within the fourth quarter of 2018, to February 15, 2019. In connection with the Extended Funding Agreement with Freddie Mac, PNC agreed to increase the maximum capacity of the financing arrangement to $2.5 billion through the term 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 period for 45 calendar days. Each funding is separately approved on a transaction-by-transaction basis and is collateralized by a loan and mortgage on a multifamily property that is ultimately purchased by Freddie Mac. The PNC and Huntington financing arrangements are only for the purpose of supporting the Company’s participation in the Freddie Mac Program and cannot be used for any other purpose. As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, HFF LP had $632.5 million and

Lease Commitments

Lease Commitments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Lease Commitments	10. 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 eight years upon prior notice and payment of a termination fee by the Company. Total rental expense charged to operations was $3.2 million and $9.8 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and $3.2 million and $10.2 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and is recorded within occupancy expense in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Future minimum rental payments for the remainder of 2018 and 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: Future minimum rent payments (in thousands) Remainder of 2018 $ 3,099 2019 11,082 2020 10,740 2021 9,286 2022 7,075 2023 4,213 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 2023. See Note 4 for further information on the assets recorded under these capital leases at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

Servicing

Servicing	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Transfers And Servicing [Abstract]
Servicing	11. Servicing The Company services commercial real estate loans for lenders. The unpaid principal balance of the servicing portfolio totaled $76.0 billion and $69.8 billion at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

Legal Proceedings

Legal Proceedings	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Legal Proceedings	12. 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, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	13. Income Taxes Income tax expense includes current and deferred taxes as follows (dollars in thousands): Current Deferred Total Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018: Federal $ 8,470 $ 8,222 $ 16,692 State 2,326 826 3,152 Foreign — (678 ) (678 ) $ 10,796 $ 8,370 $ 19,166 Current Deferred Total Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017: Federal $ 20,175 $ 15,901 $ 36,076 State 3,620 1,808 5,428 Foreign - (911 ) (911 ) $ 23,795 $ 16,798 $ 40,593 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, 2018 and 2017 (dollars in thousands): September 30, 2018 2017 Income tax expense / (benefit) Rate Rate Taxes computed at federal rate $ 18,940 21.0 % $ 35,460 35.0 % State and local taxes, net of federal tax benefit 4,668 5.2 % 4,019 4.0 % Rate differential on non-US income 19 0.0 % 541 0.5 % Effect of deferred rate change (1,249 ) (1.4 )% 476 0.5 % Change in income tax benefit payable to shareholder 155 0.2 % (117 ) (0.1 )% Effect of (windfalls) shortfalls related to equity compensation (4,622 ) (5.1 )% (1,139 ) (1.1 )% Provision to return adjustment 101 0.1 % (131 ) (0.1 )% Meals and entertainment 1,035 1.2 % 1,160 1.1 % Other 119 0.1 % 324 0.3 % Income tax expense $ 19,166 21.3 % $ 40,593 40.1 % During the third quarter of 2018, the Company completed its analysis related to the impacts of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “2017 Tax Act”) in connection with the finalization of its tax returns. There were no adjustments from previously estimated amounts as a result of the completion of the Company’s assessment.

Stockholders' Equity

Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Stockholders Equity Note [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	14. 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 s tock vote together as a single class on all matters presented to the stockholders for their vote or approval. The Company had issued 39,143,253 On January 26, 2018, the Company’s board of directors declared a special cash dividend of $1.75 per share of Class A common stock to stockholders of record on February 9, 2018. The aggregate dividend payment was paid on February 21, 2018 and totaled approximately $67.8 million based on the number of shares of Class A common stock then outstanding. Additionally, 79,387 restricted stock units (dividend equivalent units) were granted for those unvested and vested but not issued restricted stock units as of the record date of February 9, 2018. These dividend equivalent units follow the same vesting terms as the underlying restricted stock units. 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 restricted stock units (dividend equivalent units) were granted for those unvested and vested but not issued restricted stock units as of the record date of February 9, 2017. These dividend equivalent units follow the same vesting terms as the underlying restricted stock units.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	15. Earnings Per Share The Company’s net income and weighted average shares outstanding for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 consist of the following: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 (in thousands, except share data) Net income $ 29,617 $ 21,603 $ 71,024 $ 60,721 Weighted Average Shares Outstanding: Basic 39,262,706 38,706,240 39,185,500 38,647,021 Diluted 40,321,546 39,891,583 40,205,988 39,515,826 The calculations of basic and diluted earnings per share amounts for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 are described and presented below. Basic Earnings per Share Numerator — net income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Denominator — the weighted average shares of unrestricted Class A common stock for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, including 230,302 and 210,707 restricted stock units that have vested and whose issuance is no longer contingent as of September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Diluted Earnings per Share Numerator — net income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 as in the basic earnings per share calculation described above. Denominator — the weighted average shares of unrestricted Class A common stock for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, including 230,302 and 210,707 restricted stock units that have vested and whose issuance is no longer contingent as of September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, plus the dilutive effect of the unvested restricted stock units, restricted stock and stock options. Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 (in thousands, except share data) Basic Earnings Per Share of Class A Common Stock Numerator: Net income $ 29,617 $ 21,603 $ 71,024 $ 60,721 Denominator: Weighted average number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding 39,262,706 38,706,240 39,185,500 38,647,021 Basic earnings per share of Class A common stock $ 0.75 $ 0.56 $ 1.81 $ 1.57 Diluted Earnings Per Share of Class A Common Stock Numerator: Net income $ 29,617 $ 21,603 $ 71,024 $ 60,721 Denominator: Basic weighted average number of shares of Class A common stock 39,262,706 38,706,240 39,185,500 38,647,021 Add—dilutive effect of: Unvested restricted stock units 1,048,740 1,169,444 1,008,243 853,467 Stock options 10,100 15,899 12,245 15,338 Weighted average common shares outstanding — diluted 40,321,546 39,891,583 40,205,988 39,515,826 Diluted earnings per share of Class A common stock $ 0.73 $ 0.54 $ 1.77 $ 1.54

Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	16. 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 2018, Messrs. Gibson, Thornton, Fowler, Lawton, Sansosti, Tepedino and de Zarraga received payments of $1.0 million, $1.0 million, $0.8 million, $0.3 million, $0.4 million, $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively, in connection with the Company’s payment of $11.9 million to HFF Holdings under the tax receivable agreement. During the third quarter 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. 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 17 for the amount recorded in relation to this agreement.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	17. Commitments and Contingencies Tax Receivable Agreement 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 $50.3 million and $60.9 million for this obligation to HFF Holdings as a liability on the consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Employment Agreements 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 2018 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 both September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, $0.6 million has been accrued for these arrangements on the consolidated balance sheet. Risk Transfer Agreement In connection with the Risk Transfer Agreement, the Company will indemnify M&T-RCC’s loan loss exposure for each loan originated under the Risk Transfer Agreement. The Company’s loss exposure is capped at 33.33% of the unpaid principal balance in excess of the collateral securing such loan. As of September 30, 2018, the Company’s maximum quantifiable loss exposure associated with the Company’s indemnification obligation is $18.7 For loans that have been sold through the Risk Transfer Agreement, the Company records an indemnification accrual equal to the fair value of the guarantee obligations undertaken upon M&T-RCC’s sale of the loan. Subsequently, this accrual is amortized over the estimated life of the loan and recorded as an increase in capital markets services revenues within the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. The Company records a corresponding asset related to loan performance fee rights which will also be amortized over the estimated life of the loan. As of September 30, 2018, the guarantee obligations and corresponding asset were not material to the Company’s consolidated financial position.

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	18. Subsequent Events The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the date these financial statements were issued and concluded that no subsequent events have occurred that would require recognition in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements or disclosure in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements .

Organization and Basis of Pre_2

Organization and Basis of Presentation (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of HFF LP, HFF Securities, HFF Real Estate Limited and HFF Securities Limited, as well as the Company’s additional wholly-owned subsidiaries, Holliday GP, Partnership Holdings and HFF InvestCo LLC. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” and subsequently issued a series of amendments to the new revenue standard (“Topic 606”). Topic 606 supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in FASB ASC Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition,” and most industry-specific guidance. Topic 606 implements a five-step model for determining when and how revenue is recognized along with expanded disclosure requirements. Under the model, an entity will be required to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount reflecting the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. Topic 606 also permits two methods of adoption: retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented (full retrospective method) or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized at the date of initial application (modified retrospective method). The Company adopted the requirements of the new standard on January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective approach. Under this method, the Company could elect to apply the cumulative effect method to either all contracts as of the date of initial application or only to contracts that are not complete as of that date. The Company elected to apply the modified retrospective method to contracts that are not complete as of the date of initial application. Comparative information has not been adjusted and continues to be reported under the prior revenue recognition accounting guidance. The Company recorded a $1.3 million cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings related to the adoption of the new standard. As a result of the adoption of Topic 606, the Company now estimates the variable consideration associated with equity capital raising fees and recognizes the revenue once the constraint on revenue is lifted, which generally occurs once capital is committed. For additional information regarding the adoption of Topic 606, refer to Note 2 within the notes to the financial statements. 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 has completed the evaluation of its existing lease portfolio, including accumulating all of the necessary information required to properly account for the leases under the new standard and is now working toward implementation of the new standard. The Company continues to evaluate additional changes to the processes and internal controls to ensure the standard’s reporting disclosure requirements are met. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements. In June 2016, the FASB issued its final standard on measurement of credit losses on financial instruments. This standard, issued as ASU 2016-13, requires that an entity measure impairment of certain financial instruments, including trade receivables, based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. This update is effective for annual and interim financial statement periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for financial statement periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating this standard to determine the impact of adoption on its consolidated financial statements. In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, “Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting”. ASU 2017-09 clarifies when changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award must be accounted for as modifications. The guidance is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption permitted. The adoption of ASU 2017-09 had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07 “Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-based Payment Accounting”, to simplify the accounting for share–based payments granted to nonemployees by aligning the accounting with the requirements for employee share–based compensation. ASU 2018-07 is effective for the Company beginning in fiscal 2019, inc luding interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13 “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for the Fair Value Measurement. The update eliminates the disclosure requirements associated with (a) the amount and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, (b) policies related to the timing and transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy and (c) the valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 will require disclosures related to the range and weighted averages used to develop significant unobservable inputs for Level 3 fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 is effective for the Company on January 1, 2020 with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements or disclosures.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition. Substantially all of the Company’s revenues are derived from capital markets services. These capital markets services revenues are in the form of fees collected from the Company’s clients, usually negotiated on a transaction-by-transaction basis, which includes origination fees, investment advisory fees earned for brokering sales of commercial real estate, loan sales and loan servicing fees. The Company also earns interest on mortgage notes receivable during the period between the origination of the loan and the subsequent sale to Freddie Mac in connection with the Company’s participation in the Freddie Mac Program. Total Revenues: Capital markets services revenues . The Company earns its capital markets services revenue through the following activities and sources: • Origination fees • Investment advisory fees • Loan sales The Company’s contracts are generally negotiated on a transaction-by-transaction basis with a success-based fee awarded upon the satisfaction of the origination, sale, referral, placement or equity raise. The Company’s agreements generally include such success-based fees for services that are performed over time under one performance obligation. The variable consideration associated with the successful outcome remains constrained until the completion of the transaction, generally at the closing of the applicable financing or funding of the transaction. Once the constraint is lifted, revenue is recognized as the Company’s fee agreements do not include terms or conditions that require the Company to perform any service or fulfill any obligation once the transaction closes. The substantial majority of the Company’s transactions are completed within one year and the Company has utilized the practical expedients within Topic 606 related to financing components and costs of obtaining a contract due to the short-term nature of the contracts. • Loan servicing fees. The revenues associated with loan servicing fees are accounted for in accordance with Topic 860, Transfers and Servicing Interest on mortgage notes receivable. The Company recognizes interest income on the accrual basis during the holding period based on the contract interest rate in the loan that is to be purchased by Freddie Mac in connection with the Company’s participation in the Freddie Mac Multifamily Approved Seller/Servicer for Conventional and Senior Housing Loans program (“Freddie Mac Program”), provided that the debt service is paid by the borrower. Other . Certain of the Company’s fee agreements provide for reimbursement of transaction-related costs which the Company recognizes as other revenue. Reimbursements received from clients for out-of-pocket expenses are characterized as revenue in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income rather than as a reduction of expenses incurred. Because the Company is the primary obligor, has supplier discretion, and bears the credit risk for such expenses, the Company records reimbursement revenue for such out-of-pocket expenses. Reimbursement revenue is recognized over time based upon the measure of progress to completion. Disaggregation of Revenue The Company disaggregates its revenue from contracts with customers by its multiple platforms, as the Company believes it best depicts how the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of the Company’s revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors. The following table provides a reconciliation of the Company’s revenue recognized under Topic 606 to the Company’s consolidated revenues: Revenue Category Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 (2) Debt placement origination fees $ 62,090 $ 182,178 Equity placement origination fees 14,572 40,998 Investment advisory fees 70,273 179,210 Loan sales 1,105 2,851 Capital Markets Services Revenue recognized under Topic 606 148,040 405,237 Loan servicing fees 8,816 25,668 Capital markets services revenue 156,856 430,905 Interest on mortgage notes receivable 3,315 12,828 Other (1) 1,223 3,010 Total revenue $ 161,394 $ 446,743 (1)- Other revenues are recognized under Topic 606 (2)- The nine months ended September 30, 2018 revenue totals reflect reclassifications of certain revenues in the second quarter of 2018 related to (a) an increase of $6.6 million in debt placement origination fees and (b) reductions of (i) $0.9 million in equity placement origination fees, (ii) $4.6 million in investment sales fees and (iii) $1.1 million in loan sales.
Firm and Office Profit Participation Plans and Executive Bonus Plan	Firm and Office Profit Participation Plans and Executive Bonus Plan. T he 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 , the expense associated with the estimated share-based component of the estimated incentive payout is recognized before the grant date of the share-based awards due to the fact that the terms of the Plans have been approved by the Company’s board of directors, the employees of the Company understand the requirements to earn the award, the number of shares is not determined before the grant date and, finally, if the performance metrics are not met during the performance year, the award is not earned and therefore forfeited. Prior to the grant date, the share-based component expense is recorded as incentive compensation expense within personnel expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Following the award, if any, of the related incentive payout, the share-based component expense is reclassified as stock compensation costs within personnel expenses and the share-based component of the accrued incentive compensation is reclassified as additional paid-in-capital upon the granting of the awards on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Plans allow for payment to be made in both cash and share-based awards. The cash portion of the awards will not be subject to time-based vesting conditions and will be expensed during the performance year. The share-based portion of the awards is subject to a three-year time-based vesting schedule beginning on the first anniversary of the grant (which is made in the first calendar quarter of the subsequent year). As a result, the total expense for the share-based portion of the awards is recorded over the period from the beginning of the performance year through the vesting date, or 50 months.
Fair Value Measurement	ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement
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,

Summary of Significant Accoun_2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Reconciliation of Company's Revenue Recognized Under Topic 606	The following table provides a reconciliation of the Company’s revenue recognized under Topic 606 to the Company’s consolidated revenues: Revenue Category Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 (2) Debt placement origination fees $ 62,090 $ 182,178 Equity placement origination fees 14,572 40,998 Investment advisory fees 70,273 179,210 Loan sales 1,105 2,851 Capital Markets Services Revenue recognized under Topic 606 148,040 405,237 Loan servicing fees 8,816 25,668 Capital markets services revenue 156,856 430,905 Interest on mortgage notes receivable 3,315 12,828 Other (1) 1,223 3,010 Total revenue $ 161,394 $ 446,743 (1)- Other revenues are recognized under Topic 606 (2)- The nine months ended September 30, 2018 revenue totals reflect reclassifications of certain revenues in the second quarter of 2018 related to (a) an increase of $6.6 million in debt placement origination fees and (b) reductions of (i) $0.9 million in equity placement origination fees, (ii) $4.6 million in investment sales fees and (iii) $1.1 million in loan sales.

Property and Equipment (Tables)

Property and Equipment (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]
Summary of Property and Equipment	Property and equipment consist of the following: September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 (in thousands) Furniture and equipment $ 8,848 $ 8,192 Computer equipment 2,139 2,139 Capitalized software costs 3,263 2,567 Leasehold improvements 20,937 19,536 Subtotal 35,187 32,434 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization (17,655 ) (14,537 ) $ 17,532 $ 17,897

Business Combinations, Goodwi_2

Business Combinations, Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Changes in Goodwill	The Company’s goodwill at September 30, 2018 is summarized as follows (in thousands): Balance at December 31, 2017 $ 8,688 Additions through acquisitions - Foreign currency translation (107 ) Balance at September 30, 2018 $ 8,581
Summary of Intangible Assets	The Company’s intangible assets are summarized as follows: September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Book Value Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Book Value (in thousands) Intangible assets: Mortgage servicing rights $ 104,642 $ (40,328 ) $ 64,314 $ 92,856 $ (34,373 ) $ 58,483 Other 947 (712 ) 235 959 (605 ) 354 Total intangible assets $ 105,589 $ (41,040 ) $ 64,549 $ 93,815 $ (34,978 ) $ 58,837
Changes in Carrying Value of Mortgage Servicing Rights	Changes in the carrying value of mortgage servicing rights for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, were as follows (dollars in thousands): Category December 31, 2017 Capitalized Amortized September 30, 2018 Freddie Mac $ 40,468 $ 17,514 $ (9,312 ) $ 48,670 CMBS 13,514 817 (2,664 ) 11,667 Life company 3,833 1,728 (2,070 ) 3,491 Life company – limited 668 161 (343 ) 486 Total $ 58,483 $ 20,220 $ (14,389 ) $ 64,314 Category December 31, 2016 Capitalized Amortized September 30, 2017 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
Summary of Estimated Amortization Expense	Estimated amortization expense for the remainder of 2018 and the following five years is as follows (dollars in thousands): Remainder of 2018 $ 3,717 2019 13,008 2020 10,868 2021 9,146 2022 8,113 2023 7,140

Fair Value Measurement (Tables)

Fair Value Measurement (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
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, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands): Recurring fair value measurements Fair Value Measurements Using: September 30, 2018 Carrying Value Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Mortgage notes receivable $ 634,298 $ — $ 634,298 $ — Total recurring fair value measurements $ 634,298 $ — $ 634,298 $ — Fair Value Measurements Using: December 31, 2017 Carrying Value Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Mortgage notes receivable $ 450,821 $ — $ 450,821 $ — Total recurring fair value measurements $ 450,821 $ — $ 450,821 $ —
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, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands): Nonrecurring fair value measurements: Fair Value Measurements Using: September 30, 2018 Carrying Value Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Mortgage servicing rights $ 64,314 $ — $ — $ 82,636 Total nonrecurring fair value measurements $ 64,314 $ — $ — $ 82,636 Fair Value Measurements Using: December 31, 2017 Carrying Value Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Mortgage servicing rights $ 58,483 $ — $ — $ 75,899 Total nonrecurring fair value measurements $ 58,483 $ — $ — $ 75,899
Significant Assumptions Utilized to Value Servicing Rights	The significant assumptions utilized to value servicing rights as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are as follows: September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Expected life of cash flows 3 years to 10 years 3 years to 10 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 $4,748 $1,920 to $4,780 (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.

Lease Commitments (Tables)

Lease Commitments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Future Minimum Rental Payments	Future minimum rental payments for the remainder of 2018 and 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: Future minimum rent payments (in thousands) Remainder of 2018 $ 3,099 2019 11,082 2020 10,740 2021 9,286 2022 7,075 2023 4,213

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Income Tax Expense Including Current and Deferred Taxes	Income tax expense includes current and deferred taxes as follows (dollars in thousands): Current Deferred Total Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018: Federal $ 8,470 $ 8,222 $ 16,692 State 2,326 826 3,152 Foreign — (678 ) (678 ) $ 10,796 $ 8,370 $ 19,166 Current Deferred Total Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017: Federal $ 20,175 $ 15,901 $ 36,076 State 3,620 1,808 5,428 Foreign - (911 ) (911 ) $ 23,795 $ 16,798 $ 40,593
Summary of Reconciliation Between Income Tax Computed by Applying U.S. Federal Statutory Rate and Effective Tax Rate on Net Income	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, 2018 and 2017 (dollars in thousands): September 30, 2018 2017 Income tax expense / (benefit) Rate Rate Taxes computed at federal rate $ 18,940 21.0 % $ 35,460 35.0 % State and local taxes, net of federal tax benefit 4,668 5.2 % 4,019 4.0 % Rate differential on non-US income 19 0.0 % 541 0.5 % Effect of deferred rate change (1,249 ) (1.4 )% 476 0.5 % Change in income tax benefit payable to shareholder 155 0.2 % (117 ) (0.1 )% Effect of (windfalls) shortfalls related to equity compensation (4,622 ) (5.1 )% (1,139 ) (1.1 )% Provision to return adjustment 101 0.1 % (131 ) (0.1 )% Meals and entertainment 1,035 1.2 % 1,160 1.1 % Other 119 0.1 % 324 0.3 % Income tax expense $ 19,166 21.3 % $ 40,593 40.1 %

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
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 months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 consist of the following: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 (in thousands, except share data) Net income $ 29,617 $ 21,603 $ 71,024 $ 60,721 Weighted Average Shares Outstanding: Basic 39,262,706 38,706,240 39,185,500 38,647,021 Diluted 40,321,546 39,891,583 40,205,988 39,515,826
Summary of Calculations of Basic and Diluted Net Income per Share	Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 (in thousands, except share data) Basic Earnings Per Share of Class A Common Stock Numerator: Net income $ 29,617 $ 21,603 $ 71,024 $ 60,721 Denominator: Weighted average number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding 39,262,706 38,706,240 39,185,500 38,647,021 Basic earnings per share of Class A common stock $ 0.75 $ 0.56 $ 1.81 $ 1.57 Diluted Earnings Per Share of Class A Common Stock Numerator: Net income $ 29,617 $ 21,603 $ 71,024 $ 60,721 Denominator: Basic weighted average number of shares of Class A common stock 39,262,706 38,706,240 39,185,500 38,647,021 Add—dilutive effect of: Unvested restricted stock units 1,048,740 1,169,444 1,008,243 853,467 Stock options 10,100 15,899 12,245 15,338 Weighted average common shares outstanding — diluted 40,321,546 39,891,583 40,205,988 39,515,826 Diluted earnings per share of Class A common stock $ 0.73 $ 0.54 $ 1.77 $ 1.54

Organization and Basis of Pre_3

Organization and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)Officeshares	Dec. 31, 2017shares
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock, shares issued | shares	39,143,253	38,742,698
Cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings related to the adoption of the new standard | $	$ 1,304
IPO [Member] | HFF Holdings [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Percentage of shares purchase from Partners	45.00%
Common stock, shares issued | shares	1
UNITED STATES
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number of offices | Office	25
London, United Kingdom [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number of offices | Office	1

Summary of Significant Accoun_3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Summary of Reconciliation of Company's Revenue Recognized Under Topic 606 (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Capital markets services revenue	$ 156,856	$ 142,857	$ 430,905	$ 409,285
Interest on mortgage notes receivable	3,315	4,325	12,828	12,041
Other	1,223	840	3,010	2,866
Total revenues	161,394	$ 148,022	446,743	$ 424,192
Debt Placement Origination Fees [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	62,090		182,178
Equity Placement Origination Fees [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	14,572		40,998
Investment Advisory Fees [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	70,273		179,210
Loan Sales [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	1,105		2,851
Capital Markets Services Revenue Recognized under Topic 606 [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	148,040		405,237
Administrative Service [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Loan servicing fees	$ 8,816		$ 25,668

Summary of Significant Accoun_4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Summary of Reconciliation of Company's Revenue Recognized Under Topic 606 (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018
Debt Placement Origination Fees [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 62,090	$ 182,178
Debt Placement Origination Fees [Member] | Prior Quarter Reclassifications [Member] | Topic 606 [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue		6,600
Equity Placement Origination Fees [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	14,572	40,998
Equity Placement Origination Fees [Member] | Prior Quarter Reclassifications [Member] | Topic 606 [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue		(900)
Investment Advisory Fees [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	70,273	179,210
Investment Advisory Fees [Member] | Prior Quarter Reclassifications [Member] | Topic 606 [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue		(4,600)
Loan Sales [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 1,105	2,851
Loan Sales [Member] | Prior Quarter Reclassifications [Member] | Topic 606 [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue		$ (1,100)

Summary of Significant Accoun_5

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
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, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock compensation cost	$ 6,300	$ 4,300	$ 18,868	$ 13,049
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	$ 43,700		$ 43,700
Weighted average contractual term			2 years
Restricted stock units outstanding	2,364,687		2,364,687
Number of stock units with continued vesting requirements	2,134,385		2,134,385
Restricted stock units, Granted	0
Restricted stock units vested	5,579
Restricted stock units, forfeited	1,139
Fair value of restricted stock units			$ 9,800
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	5,579

Property and Equipment - Summar

Property and Equipment - Summary of Property and Equipment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant, and equipment, gross	$ 35,187	$ 32,434
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(17,655)	(14,537)
Property, plant and equipment, net	17,532	17,897
Furniture and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant, and equipment, gross	8,848	8,192
Computer Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant, and equipment, gross	2,139	2,139
Capitalized Software Costs [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant, and equipment, gross	3,263	2,567
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant, and equipment, gross	$ 20,937	$ 19,536

Property and Equipment - Additi

Property and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail) - Office Equipment [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Capital leased office equipment recorded in furniture and equipment	$ 1.5	$ 1.7
Accumulated depreciation and amortization of capital leased office equipment included in consolidated statements	$ 1.3	$ 1.3

Business Combinations, Goodwi_3

Business Combinations, Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail)	Jan. 01, 2007USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)Business	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Business acquisition consideration						$ 6,230,000
Commercial loans serviced by the Company		$ 76,000,000,000			$ 76,000,000,000		$ 69,800,000,000
Servicing fees earned		8,800,000	$ 7,300,000		25,700,000	21,000,000
Mortgage servicing rights		64,549,000			64,549,000		58,837,000
Loan served for mortgage servicing rights		75,100,000,000			75,100,000,000		68,800,000,000
Initial consideration paid	$ 0
Amortization expenses		5,400,000	3,500,000		$ 14,509,000	9,070,000
Weighted-average life of mortgage servicing rights					6 years 8 months 12 days
Freddie Mac [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Mortgage servicing rights retained upon sale		4,700,000	6,500,000		$ 17,500,000	18,200,000
Originated loans, net		900,000,000	1,700,000,000		4,000,000,000	4,300,000,000
CMBS [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Mortgage servicing rights acquired without exchange of initial consideration		900,000	1,200,000		2,700,000	3,300,000
Life Company Tranches [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Mortgage servicing rights acquired without exchange of initial consideration		2,100,000,000	3,500,000,000		8,100,000,000	9,300,000,000
Interest and Other Income, Net [Member] | Freddie Mac [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Securitization compensation received		2,200,000	$ 3,600,000		10,300,000	$ 8,600,000
Non-competition Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible asset,useful life				5 years
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible asset,useful life				1 year
Mortgage Servicing Rights [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Mortgage servicing rights		$ 64,314,000			$ 64,314,000		$ 58,483,000
Hentschel & Company LLC and Lotenno Limited [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Number of businesses acquired | Business				2
Business acquisition consideration				$ 6,200,000
Goodwill deductible for tax purposes				$ 1,800,000

Business Combinations, Goodwi_4

Business Combinations, Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Schedule of Changes in Goodwill (Detail) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Beginning Balance	$ 8,688
Additions through acquisitions	0
Foreign currency translation	(107)
Ending Balance	$ 8,581

Business Combinations, Goodwi_5

Business Combinations, Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Summary of Intangible Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total intangible assets Gross Carrying Amount	$ 105,589	$ 93,815
Accumulated Amortization	(41,040)	(34,978)
Total intangible assets Net Book Value	64,549	58,837
Mortgage Servicing Rights [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total intangible assets Gross Carrying Amount	104,642	92,856
Accumulated Amortization	(40,328)	(34,373)
Total intangible assets Net Book Value	64,314	58,483
Other [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total intangible assets Gross Carrying Amount	947	959
Accumulated Amortization	(712)	(605)
Total intangible assets Net Book Value	$ 235	$ 354

Business Combinations, Goodwi_6

Business Combinations, Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Changes in Carrying Value of Mortgage Servicing Rights (Detail) - Mortgage Servicing Rights [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Opening Balance	$ 58,483	$ 36,614
Capitalized	20,220	21,542
Amortized	(14,389)	(8,756)
Closing Balance	64,314	49,400
Freddie Mac [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Opening Balance	40,468	16,234
Capitalized	17,514	18,242
Amortized	(9,312)	(3,621)
Closing Balance	48,670	30,855
CMBS [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Opening Balance	13,514	16,247
Capitalized	817	774
Amortized	(2,664)	(3,006)
Closing Balance	11,667	14,015
Life Company [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Opening Balance	3,833	3,567
Capitalized	1,728	2,150
Amortized	(2,070)	(1,860)
Closing Balance	3,491	3,857
Life Company - Limited [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Opening Balance	668	566
Capitalized	161	376
Amortized	(343)	(269)
Closing Balance	$ 486	$ 673

Business Combinations, Goodwi_7

Business Combinations, Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Summary of Estimated Amortization Expense (Detail) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Future Amortization Expense Current And Five Succeeding Fiscal Years [Abstract]
Remainder of 2018	$ 3,717
2,019	13,008
2,020	10,868
2,021	9,146
2,022	8,113
2,023	$ 7,140

Fair Value Measurement - Financ

Fair Value Measurement - Financial Assets Accounted at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) - Recurring Fair Value Measurements [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Carrying Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Mortgage notes receivable	$ 634,298	$ 450,821
Recurring fair value measurements	634,298	450,821
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Mortgage notes receivable	634,298	450,821
Recurring fair value measurements	$ 634,298	$ 450,821

Fair Value Measurement - Fina_2

Fair Value Measurement - Financial Assets Accounted at Fair Value on Nonrecurring Basis (Detail) - Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Carrying Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Mortgage servicing rights	$ 64,314	$ 58,483
Nonrecurring fair value measurements	64,314	58,483
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Mortgage servicing rights	82,636	75,899
Nonrecurring fair value measurements	$ 82,636	$ 75,899

Fair Value Measurement - Signif

Fair Value Measurement - Significant Assumptions Utilized to Value Servicing Rights (Detail)	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)Year	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)Year
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cost of service per loan	$ 76,000,000,000	$ 69,800,000,000
Mortgage Servicing Rights [Member] | Inflation Rate [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Servicing right rate	0.02	0.02
Mortgage Servicing Rights [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cost of service per loan	$ 1,920	$ 1,920
Mortgage Servicing Rights [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Expected Life of Cash Flows [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Servicing right rate | Year	3	3
Mortgage Servicing Rights [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Discount Rate [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Servicing right rate	0.10	0.10
Mortgage Servicing Rights [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Prepayment Rate [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Servicing right rate	0	0
Mortgage Servicing Rights [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cost of service per loan	$ 4,748	$ 4,780
Mortgage Servicing Rights [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Expected Life of Cash Flows [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Servicing right rate | Year	10	10
Mortgage Servicing Rights [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Discount Rate [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Servicing right rate	0.16	0.16
Mortgage Servicing Rights [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Prepayment Rate [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Servicing right rate	0.08	0.08

Fair Value Measurement - Additi

Fair Value Measurement - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)
Risk Transfer Agreement [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investment redemption value	$ 25
Agreement term	3 years
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investment in securities held to maturity	$ 25

Joint Venture - Additional Info

Joint Venture - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	Sep. 17, 2018USD ($)Subsidiary	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of wholly-owned subsidiaries in joint venture | Subsidiary	1
HFF InvestCo LLC [Member]
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of interest in joint venture	50.00%
Securities Purchase Agreement [Member] | Kensington CA, LLC [Member]
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Securities purchase investment	$ 5.5
Joint Venture [Member]
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of interest in joint venture	50.00%
Payments to acquire interest in cash		$ 1.7
Note payable		$ 3.8
Notes payable maturity date		Jan. 15, 2019
Joint Venture [Member] | HFF InvestCo LLC [Member]
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of interest in joint venture	50.00%

Securities Held-to-Maturity - A

Securities Held-to-Maturity - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	Jul. 02, 2018USD ($)
M&T Realty Capital Corporation [Member]
Marketable Securities [Line Items]
Risk transfer joint venture investment in redeemable preferred stock	$ 25

Warehouse Line of Credit - Addi

Warehouse Line of Credit - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)Warehouse_Line_of_Credit	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2017USD ($)
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Number of warehouse line of credit facilities | Warehouse_Line_of_Credit	2
Warehouse line of credit outstanding amount	$ 632,500,000	$ 450,300,000
Line of credit interest rate at the end of the period	2.11%	1.37%
LIBOR rate duration period	30-day
Line of credit interest rate description	Interest on the warehouse lines of credit is at the 30-day LIBOR rate (2.11% and 1.37% at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, 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	$ 1,000,000,000
Description of uncommitted amount	The PNC arrangement was amended during the third quarter of 2017 to increase the uncommitted amount from $450 million to $600 million, which can be increased to $1.0 billion for the remainder of 2018. On October 1, 2018, HFF LP entered into an extended funding agreement with Freddie Mac (the “Extended Funding Agreement”) whereby Freddie Mac can extend the required purchase date for each mortgage that has an Original Funding Date (as defined in the Extended Funding Agreement) occurring within the fourth quarter of 2018, to February 15, 2019. In connection with the Extended Funding Agreement with Freddie Mac, PNC agreed to increase the maximum capacity of the financing arrangement to $2.5 billion through the term of the Extended Funding Agreement.
Freddie Mac [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum capacity	$ 2,500,000,000
Huntington Bank [Member] | Temporary Increase To Line Of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Uncommitted financing arrangement	150,000,000			$ 125,000,000
Maximum uncommitted financing arrangement	$ 175,000,000
Frequency of temporary increases | Warehouse_Line_of_Credit	3
Maximum uncommitted financing arrangement expiration period	45 days

Lease Commitments - Additional

Lease Commitments - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Total rental expense	$ 3.2	$ 3.2	$ 9.8	$ 10.2
Lease expiration year			2,023
Minimum [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Operating lease terms	3 years		3 years
Reduced operating lease terms			2 years
Maximum [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Operating lease terms	11 years		11 years
Reduced operating lease terms			8 years

Lease Commitments - Summary of

Lease Commitments - Summary of Future Minimum Rental Payments (Detail) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Remainder of 2018	$ 3,099
2,019	11,082
2,020	10,740
2,021	9,286
2,022	7,075
2,023	$ 4,213

Servicing - Additional Informat

Servicing - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Billions	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Transfers And Servicing [Abstract]
Unpaid principal balance of servicing portfolio of commercial real estate loan	$ 76	$ 69.8

Income Taxes - Summary of Incom

Income Taxes - Summary of Income Tax Expense Including Current and Deferred Taxes (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Current Federal Tax			$ 8,470	$ 20,175
State Current Tax			2,326	3,620
Foreign Current Tax			0	0
Federal and State Current Total			10,796	23,795
Federal Deferred Tax			8,222	15,901
State Deferred Tax			826	1,808
Foreign Deferred tax			(678)	(911)
Federal and State Deferred Total			8,370	16,798
Federal Current and Deferred Total			16,692	36,076
State Current and Deferred Total			3,152	5,428
Foreign Current and Deferred Total			(678)	(911)
Income tax expense	$ 9,432	$ 15,726	$ 19,166	$ 40,593

Income Taxes - Summary of Recon

Income Taxes - Summary of Reconciliation Between Income Tax Computed by Applying U.S. Federal Statutory Rate and Effective Tax Rate on Net Income (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Taxes computed at federal rate			$ 18,940	$ 35,460
State and local taxes, net of federal tax benefit			4,668	4,019
Rate differential on non-US income			19	541
Effect of deferred rate change			(1,249)	476
Change in income tax benefit payable to shareholder			155	(117)
Effect of (windfalls) shortfalls related to equity compensation			(4,622)	(1,139)
Provision to return adjustment			101	(131)
Meals and entertainment			1,035	1,160
Other			119	324
Income tax expense	$ 9,432	$ 15,726	$ 19,166	$ 40,593
Taxes computed at federal rate, Percentage			21.00%	35.00%
State and local taxes, net of federal tax benefit, Percentage			5.20%	4.00%
Rate differential on non-US income, Percentage			0.00%	0.50%
Effect of deferred rate change, Percentage			(1.40%)	0.50%
Change in income tax benefit payable to shareholder, Percentage			0.20%	(0.10%)
Effect of (windfalls) shortfalls related to equity compensation, Percentage			(5.10%)	(1.10%)
Provision to return adjustment, Percentage			0.10%	(0.10%)
Meals and entertainment, Percentage			1.20%	1.10%
Other, Percentage			0.10%	0.30%
Income tax expense, Total Percentage			21.30%	40.10%

Stockholders Equity - Additiona

Stockholders Equity - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Feb. 21, 2018	Feb. 09, 2018	Jan. 26, 2018	Feb. 21, 2017	Feb. 09, 2017	Jan. 24, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
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							39,143,253		38,742,698
Special cash dividend			$ 1.75			$ 1.57
Dividends payable, date of record			Feb. 9, 2018			Feb. 9, 2017
Dividends payable, declaration date			Jan. 26, 2018			Jan. 24, 2017
Dividends payable, payment date			Feb. 21, 2018			Feb. 21, 2017
Aggregate dividend paid	$ 67,800			$ 60,000			$ 67,772	$ 60,017
Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Restricted stock granted for unvested and vested but not issued		79,387			95,648

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, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income	$ 29,617	$ 21,603	$ 71,024	$ 60,721
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:
Basic	39,262,706	38,706,240	39,185,500	38,647,021
Diluted	40,321,546	39,891,583	40,205,988	39,515,826

Earnings Per Share - Additional

Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail) - shares	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Stock units and stock options included in weighted average shares	230,302	210,707	230,302	210,707
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 _2

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, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Numerator:
Net income	$ 29,617	$ 21,603	$ 71,024	$ 60,721
Denominator:
Basic weighted average number of shares of Class A common stock	39,262,706	38,706,240	39,185,500	38,647,021
Basic earnings per share of Class A common stock	$ 0.75	$ 0.56	$ 1.81	$ 1.57
Add—dilutive effect of:
Weighted average common shares outstanding — diluted	40,321,546	39,891,583	40,205,988	39,515,826
Diluted earnings per share of Class A common stock	$ 0.73	$ 0.54	$ 1.77	$ 1.54
Basic Earnings Per Share of Class A Common Stock [Member] | Class A Common Stock [Member]
Numerator:
Net income	$ 29,617	$ 21,603	$ 71,024	$ 60,721
Denominator:
Basic weighted average number of shares of Class A common stock	39,262,706	38,706,240	39,185,500	38,647,021
Basic earnings per share of Class A common stock	$ 0.75	$ 0.56	$ 1.81	$ 1.57
Diluted Earnings Per Share of Class A Common Stock [Member] | Class A Common Stock [Member]
Numerator:
Net income	$ 29,617	$ 21,603	$ 71,024	$ 60,721
Denominator:
Basic weighted average number of shares of Class A common stock	39,262,706	38,706,240	39,185,500	38,647,021
Add—dilutive effect of:
Weighted average common shares outstanding — diluted	40,321,546	39,891,583	40,205,988	39,515,826
Diluted earnings per share of Class A common stock	$ 0.73	$ 0.54	$ 1.77	$ 1.54
Diluted Earnings Per Share of Class A Common Stock [Member] | Class A Common Stock [Member] | Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Add—dilutive effect of:
Units or options	1,048,740	1,169,444	1,008,243	853,467
Diluted Earnings Per Share of Class A Common Stock [Member] | Class A Common Stock [Member] | Stock Options [Member]
Add—dilutive effect of:
Units or options	10,100	15,899	12,245	15,338

Related Party Transactions - Ad

Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of retained cash savings in income tax	15.00%		15.00%
Payments under tax receivable agreement			$ 11,875	$ 11,241
HFF Holdings [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of tax receivable agreement			85.00%
Payments under tax receivable agreement	$ 11,900	$ 11,200
Chief Executive Officer [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Payments under tax receivable agreement	1,000	1,100
Gibson [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Payments under tax receivable agreement	1,000	1,100
Thornton [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Payments under tax receivable agreement	800	900
Fowler [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Payments under tax receivable agreement	300	300
Lawton [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Payments under tax receivable agreement	400	500
Sansosti [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Payments under tax receivable agreement	200	200
Tepedino and de Zarraga [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Payments under tax receivable agreement	$ 300	$ 300

Commitments and Contingencies -

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Summary Of Commitments And Contingent Liabilities [Line Items]
Accrued additional compensation to newly hired capital markets advisors	$ 600,000	$ 600,000	$ 600,000
M&T Realty Capital Corporation [Member]
Summary Of Commitments And Contingent Liabilities [Line Items]
Loss exposure cap, percentage	33.33%	33.33%
Unpaid principal balances	$ 56,200,000	$ 56,200,000
Losses under arrangement	0
M&T Realty Capital Corporation [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Summary Of Commitments And Contingent Liabilities [Line Items]
Quantifiable loss exposure associated with indemnification obligation	18,700,000	$ 18,700,000
Federal [Member]
Summary Of Commitments And Contingent Liabilities [Line Items]
Amount of cash savings to HFF holdings		85.00%
HFF Holdings [Member]
Summary Of Commitments And Contingent Liabilities [Line Items]
Liability to HFF Holdings	$ 50,300,000	$ 50,300,000	$ 60,900,000