Real estate or immovable property is a legal term (in some jurisdictions) that encompasses land along with anything permanently affixed to the land, such as buildings. Real estate (immovable property) is often considered synonymous with real property (also sometimes called realty), in contrast with personal property (also sometimes called chattel or personalty). However, for technical purposes, some people prefer to distinguish real estate, referring to the land and fixtures themselves, from real property, referring to ownership rights over real estate.

The terms real estate and real property are used primarily in common law, while civil law jurisdictions refer instead to immovable property.

In law, the word real means relating to a thing (from Latin res/rei, thing), as distinguished from a person. Thus the law broadly distinguishes between "real" property (land and anything affixed to it) and "personal" property (everything else, e.g., clothing, furniture, money). The conceptual difference was between immovable property, which would transfer title along with the land, and movable property, which a person would retain title to. (The word is not derived from the notion of land having historically been "royal" property. The word royal — and its Portuguese cognate real — come from the related Latin word rex-regis, meaning king.)

Real estate appraisal

Real estate appraisal is the practice of developing an opinion of the value of real property, usually its Market Value. (Real estate appraisal is American usage; many other countries use the terms property valuation or land valuation.) The need for appraisals arises from the heterogenous nature of property as an investment class: no two properties are identical, and all properties differ from each other in their location - which is the most important determinant of their value. So there cannot exist a centralised Walrasian auction setting for the trading of property assets, as there exists for trade in corporate stock. The absence of a market-based pricing mechanism determines the need for an expert appraisal/valuation of real estate/property.

A real estate appraisal is performed by a licensed or certified appraiser (in many countries known as property valuer or land valuer). If the appraiser's opinion is based on Market Value, then it must also be based on the Highest and Best Use of the real property. For mortgage valuations of improved residential property in the US, the appraisal is most often reported on a standardized form, such as the Uniform Residential Appraisal Report. Appraisals of more complex property (e.g. -- income producing, raw land) are usually reported in a narrative appraisal report.

Real estate economics is the application of economic techniques to real estate markets. It tries to describe, explain, and predict patterns of real estate prices, building production, and real estate consumption. The closely related field of housing economics is narrower in scope, concentrating on residential real estate markets. Both draw on partial equilibrium analysis (supply and demand), urban economics, spatial economics, and finance.

Real estate pricing There are two major ways in which aggregate home prices are reported: median and mean (average). Prices are also calculated by square foot, using both the mean and median price. Real estate prices have had a profound impact on urban, as well as the suburban and rural landscape. The most important government measurement of home prices in the United States is the house price index. Median house prices are reported for metro areas and regions of the country by the private National Association of Realtors.

Real estate trends is a generic term used to describe any consistent pattern or change in the general direction of the real estate industry which, over the course of time, causes a statistically noticeable change. This can be as a result of the economy, a change in mortgage rates, or other business reasons.

A real estate trend is the fundamental strategic reason that causes the change, and it is usually a concept, a belief, a philosophy, or an event (and not merely the result of a new product or service). Sometimes a real estate trend evolves to meet a specific need, while others evolve when new products or solutions are launched; at other times, a trend from another industry spills over into the real estate industry and is adopted.

Therefore, a trend must have substance and be based on fact; over time, it will cause a pattern of change. Monitoring changes and tracking trends is a not an exact science and can be very hard to predict.

The residential real estate brokerage industry is approximately half way through a 10 -15 year industry transition. This major shift is creating a fundamental change in the way homes are being bought and sold and the role the real estate agents are playing therein.

 
 
 
 
Real estate