What is the primary difference between personal property and real property?

The primary difference between personal property and real property lies in their characteristics of mobility. Real property, often referred to as real estate, is defined as land and anything permanently attached to it, such as buildings, trees, and other structures. These items cannot be moved without altering or damaging them, which establishes real property as immovable.

On the other hand, personal property consists of movable items that are not permanently affixed to any one location or structure. This category includes things like furniture, vehicles, and electronics, which can be transferred from one place to another without significant alteration.

Understanding this distinction is crucial in the context of real estate and title insurance, as it affects ownership rights, legal definitions, and how different types of property are treated under the law. The confusion around the other options might arise from misunderstanding the valuation, usage, or equivalence between the two types of property, but it is the im/mobility that fundamentally distinguishes them.