What Is Real Property?
Real property is land and everything permanently attached to it — including buildings, fixtures, and the rights that come with ownership. It is distinct from personal property, which is movable. Real property is sometimes called "realty" or "real estate," and it carries a distinctive set of legal rules for how it is owned, transferred, and taxed.
What Real Property Includes
- The land itself, and generally the space above and below it
- Buildings and improvements permanently affixed to the land
- Fixtures — items once personal property that have become part of the real estate
- Associated rights, such as easements, and sometimes mineral or water rights
How Real Property Is Treated in Florida
Real property is transferred by a deed that is recorded in the county's public records, and ownership ("title") can be held in several forms that affect survivorship and creditor protection. Florida law governs real estate located in the state regardless of where the owner lives, and real property enjoys special protections such as the homestead exemption. Because the rules differ sharply from those for personal property, classifying an asset correctly matters for sales, financing, taxation, and inheritance.
Related Terms
- Personal Property — The movable counterpart
- Title — Ownership of real property
- Fixture — Personal property that becomes real property
Barnes Walker Real Estate
Barnes Walker's real estate attorneys handle the purchase, sale, titling, and financing of Florida real property. Request a legal inquiry for assistance.
Reviewed by the attorneys at Barnes Walker, Goethe, Shea & Robinson, PLLC