Learn the basics of real estate definition, different property types, and effective strategies for investing in the real estate market. Real estate is the land, the earth beneath it, the air above it, its attachments to it, and its legal rights. In business terms, real estate is an instrument of investment. Real estate has seven specific characteristics related to its economic impact or physical nature. Real estate refers to land and any permanent structures attached to it, such as houses, buildings, or natural resources. It’s a tangible asset that can be bought, sold, or leased. But real estate is more than just physical property; it’s also a dynamic industry that involves buying, selling, renting, and developing land and buildings. Real estate is different from personal property, which is not permanently attached to the land (or comes with the land), such as vehicles, boats, jewelry, furniture, tools, and the rolling stock of a farm and farm animals.