The term “real estate” is first recorded in the 1660s, so we find its etymological origins in Early Modern English. The word “real” is derived from Latin, meaning existing, actual, or genuine. The word “estate” is an English translation of the Old French word “estat,” meaning status.

The term “real estate” or “real property” means the land plus anything growing on it, attached to it or erected on it, including man-made objects, such as buildings, structures, roads, sewers, and fences, but excluding anything that may be removed from the land without injury to the land.

Personal property can be characterized as either tangible or intangible. Examples of tangible personal property include vehicles, furniture, boats, and collectibles. Digital assets, patents, and intellectual property fall under intangible personal property.

Most of the UK's properties are private homes. The remainder is made up of commercial property including offices, shops, warehouses, datacentres, leisure facilities, healthcare and hotels.