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 Rhode Island, real property, also known as real estate, encompasses land and any structures or fixtures permanently attached to it, such as buildings, fences, and built-in appliances. 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 property is categorized based on its use, which can be residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, or for special purposes. This categorization can affect zoning, taxation, and regulatory matters. Real property is distinct from personal property, which refers to movable items that are not affixed to the land. In Rhode Island, real property transactions and ownership are governed by state statutes and regulations, which include recording deeds, property tax assessments, and land use laws. An attorney specializing in real estate law can provide guidance on these matters, ensuring compliance with all applicable state and local regulations.