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 New York, real property, also known as real estate, encompasses land and any permanent structures or attachments, such as buildings and fences, as well as fixtures like lighting and plumbing systems. The legal rights associated with real property include the ability to possess, sell, lease, use, and enjoy the property. The definition of land extends from the earth's surface to its core and up to the airspace above, including natural attachments like trees and bodies of water, as well as subsurface minerals. Real estate can be categorized based on its use, such as residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, or special purpose. This classification can affect zoning laws, taxation, and regulatory requirements. In contrast to real property, personal property refers to movable items that are not affixed to the land. New York State law governs various aspects of real property, including transactions, ownership rights, and property disputes, and these laws are enforced through both state statutes and local ordinances. Individuals interested in matters concerning real property are advised to consult with an attorney who specializes in real estate law to navigate the complexities of these regulations.