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. Property law, the area of the common law that governs real property, differs from contract law in that it focuses primarily on rights that one person holds over all other people, as opposed to specific individuals.

Background

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In recent years, many economists have recognized that the lack of effective real estate laws can be a significant barrier to investment in many developing countries. In most societies, rich or poor, a significant fraction of the total wealth is in the form of land and buildings. In most advanced economies, the main source of capital used by individuals and small companies to purchase and improve land and buildings is mortgages -- bank loans for which the real property itself constitutes collateral. Banks are willing to make such loans at favorable rates in large part because if the borrower does not make payments the lender can foreclose, that is, file a court action that lets them take the property and sell it to get their money back. However, in many developing countries, there is no effective means by which a lender could foreclose, so the mortgage loan industry as such either does not exist at all or is only available to members of privileged social classes.

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NYT > Real Estate

Square Feet: Westchester’s Cross County Shopping Center Gets a Makeover
By ELSA BRENNER Wed, 16 May 2012 19:10:02 -0000
At a busy intersection, the 58-year-old Cross Country Shopping Center withstood the recent recession, but is now trying to lure more upscale businesses and customers.
Developers Cease to Offer Condo Incentives
By JULIE SATOW Sat, 12 May 2012 20:13:14 -0000
A lack of inventory is largely responsible for a decline in incentives to buy into new developments in New York.
Habitats: Habitats | The Fun Starts Here
By CONSTANCE ROSENBLUM Wed, 16 May 2012 18:47:17 -0000
Eric Zimmerman and Nathalie Pozzi live in a colorful apartment that reflects her architectural background and his career as a game designer.

Home mortgage rates and real estate news - CNNMoney.com

BofA offering up to $30K for short sales
Tue, 15 May 2012 18:37:33 -0400
Bank of America is offering some struggling homeowners payments of up to $30,000 if they sell their homes in a short sale and avoid ending up in foreclosure.
Mortgage delinquencies drop to 4-year low
Wed, 16 May 2012 10:21:50 -0400
The percentage of borrowers who have dropped behind on their mortgage payments fell to a four-year low in the first three months of 2012, a bankers' group said Wednesday.
George Lucas proposes affordable housing plan
Wed, 16 May 2012 07:56:47 -0400
The film emperor may be striking back. For 25 years, filmmaker George Lucas tried to persuade his Marin County, Calif., neighbors to let him build a digital production studio on his ranch there, but the area's residents thwarted the plan.

Forbes.com: Real Estate News

The New Homebuyer Tax Credit Won't Die --Should It?
Francesca Levy Thu, 01 Jul 2010 21:04:54 -0000
The government has given buyers using the credit another three months to close sales, and the initiative is being imitated on a smaller scale by states and private companies. But some think the market would be better off if we laid it to rest for good.
Middle-Of-Nowhere Mansions
Francesca Levy Fri, 02 Jul 2010 15:48:59 -0000
Ultra-high-end homes are on the market for tens of millions in Door County, Wis., and other unexpected spots. What are they doing there?
The World's Most Expensive Cities For Expats
Francesca Levy Mon, 28 Jun 2010 16:01:00 -0000
A new study reveals the cities that cost the most for foreign-based companies and individuals.

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