Real property or real estate is land and everything that is permanently attached or affixed to the land—buildings, fences, and those things attached to the buildings, such as light fixtures and plumbing and heating fixtures.

Real property includes the legal rights of ownership—such as the rights to possess, sell, use, lease, and enjoy the land. The terms real property and real estate are generally synonymous.

Land is generally defined as the earth’s surface, extending downward to the center of the earth and upward to infinity—including everything that is permanently attached by nature, such as trees and water. Land includes minerals below the earth’s surface and airspace above the land.

Real property is often classified and referenced according to its use as residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, or special purpose property. Real property is generally contrasted with personal property, which includes all movable, tangible things that are not real property.

In Louisiana (LA), real property, also known as real estate, encompasses land and any permanently attached improvements, such as buildings, fences, and fixtures integral to the structures. The legal rights associated with real property ownership include the right to possess, sell, lease, use, and enjoy the property. Louisiana law recognizes the concept of 'immovable property,' which is similar to real property in other jurisdictions, and is governed by the Louisiana Civil Code. The Code defines immovable property and outlines the rights and obligations of property owners. Land in Louisiana extends from the surface to the center of the earth and upward indefinitely, which includes naturally attached resources and airspace. Real property is categorized based on its use, such as residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, or special purpose. This classification can affect zoning, taxation, and regulatory matters. Real property is distinct from personal property, which refers to movable items not permanently affixed to land. The regulation of real property in Louisiana is also influenced by the state's unique legal system, which is based on French and Spanish civil law traditions, rather than the common law tradition followed by most other U.S. states.