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.

More on [ Real estate ]

NYT > Real Estate

International Real Estate: For Sale in ... Indonesia
Tue, 14 Oct 2008 22:28:48 -0000
A three-bedroom villa in Bali is on the market for $695,000.
Property Values: What You Get for ... $1.2 Million
Tue, 14 Oct 2008 22:14:52 -0000
A four-bedroom house in West Stockbridge, Mass.; a four-bedroom house in Gulfport, Miss.; a three-bedroom home in San Rafael, Calif.
In Turkey, an Island Retreat
Tue, 14 Oct 2008 22:15:37 -0000
For Mary Ann and Benjamin Whitten, buying a summer home on one of the nine Princes Islands in the Sea of Marmara meant moving from one earthquake zone to another.

Home mortgage rates and real estate news - CNNMoney.com

Home prices may plummet, but taxes won't
Tue, 14 Oct 2008 17:32:31 -0400
Housing prices have plummeted, but property tax bills probably won't budge.
Home deals go bust
Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:13:43 -0400
The Dow has shed thousands of points and the global economy is in crisis.
McCain mortgage fix hits taxpayers
Thu, 09 Oct 2008 16:29:06 -0400
Under a mortgage rescue plan announced at the debate Tuesday night by Senator John McCain, much of the burden of paying to keep troubled borrowers in their homes will shift to taxpayers.

Forbes.com: Real Estate News

Best And Worst Bang For The Buck Cities
Abha Bhattarai Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:30:00 -0000
In the near future, daily costs, projected job growth and housing prices will most affect the residents of these 20 spots.
America's Most And Least Vulnerable Towns
Rebecca Ruiz Thu, 09 Oct 2008 16:00:00 -0000
What unemployment, home equity and take-home pay may mean for these 20 spots in the months ahead.
America's Luxury Foreclosure Capitals
Maurna Desmond Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:00:00 -0000
California dominates our list of pricey zips with the most foreclosures. To blame? Loose lending, falling home prices and a state law that allows banks greater latitude in re-possessing properties.

RealEstateJournal.com Commercial Real Estate News

Grain Rally Fertilizes U.S Farm Prices
Tue, 08 Apr 2008 04:00:00 -0000
The surge in demand for corn, soybean and wheat has raised Midwestern land values, but experts worry that the farmland market is a bubble waiting to burst.
Centro Properties Receives Buyout Bids
Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:00:00 -0000
At least five suitors -- including Citadel Investment -- are looking to buy the cash-strapped retail-property firm.
Legislation Would Give Builders a Big Break
Fri, 04 Apr 2008 04:00:00 -0000
A bipartisan provision unveiled Wednesday by Senate leaders would allow companies to apply current losses to taxes paid four years ago, instead of the current two-year carry-back.
Traders Rally Around Home-Builder Stocks
Fri, 04 Apr 2008 04:00:00 -0000
Investors are preparing for the housing market to level off and perhaps start to rebound.
Office Rentals Show A Decrease in Demand
Fri, 04 Apr 2008 04:00:00 -0000
Businesses are pulling back on renting space a sign economic weakness is hitting landlords. The leasing slowdown will likely exacerbate the decline in commercial construction.
REITS Make Comeback Amid Housing Bust
Thu, 03 Apr 2008 04:00:00 -0000
Stocks of real-estate investment trusts staged a modest rally in the first quarter, driven by strong gains by operators of apartment buildings and self-storage space.

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