Real Estate - unreal estate?

Subject: Real Estatate - unreal estate?
From: Ian Kirk (inactive)
Date: 28 Feb 99 - 04:27 PM

This has nothing to with folk music but I couldn't think of a better place to post this question. The breadth of extraneous knowledge of the Mudcatter knows no bounds.

Why is residential land in the US known as real estate? Least I suppose it is the term land on which residences are built.

Was there ever any un-real estate?

Thanks

Ian

Subject: RE: Real Estatate - unreal estate?
From: catspaw49
Date: 28 Feb 99 - 04:48 PM

Have you been to my house? Of course you haven't, but let me assure you the place is without a doubt the most unreal piece of real estate in 3 counties. We have varying numbers and ages of kids living here (over 30 in the past 7 years) with many different family problems that have caused them undue amounts of grief at far too early an age. We also have 9 cats, a weimaraner who thinks he's a cat in self defense, and assorted neighbor critters that every once in awhile just wander in. Karen and I freely admit that this ain't Ozzie and Harriet. Not to mention that I'm an aging 60's radical living in a tiny village (12 streets) building weird instruments and all that. Then there are the unfinished front 2 rooms where the money and energy never seem to come together. Fortunately it's a huge house covering most all of the lot and this holds down the mowing.

I have a feeling that one day I'll turn to my son Michael and say, "Some day Son, all this will be yours." And he'll respond, "How much will it take for you to keep it Dad?"

catspaw

Subject: RE: Real Estatate - unreal estate?
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 28 Feb 99 - 05:03 PM

Hi Ian!

An interesting question and one that sent me to the encyclopedia.

"Real estate means an interest in land other than a chattel interest. Real estate is sometimes called real property. A house is real estate, but the rugs and furniture in it are chattels, or personal property.

"The term real property came into use from the fact that, in the case of contest over the title, the rightful owner received the real (actual) property."

Now tell me why a simple freehold house built by Wimpy is an "estate house?" Not the best term that could be used when people ordinarily associate the term "estate" with something somewhat grander!

All the best,
Dan

Subject: RE: Real Estatate - unreal estate?
From: campfire
Date: 01 Mar 99 - 02:50 AM

Acually, Catspaw, your place sounds delightful. Brings to mind my aunt and uncle's farm, where there was always more love than money; but one more was always welcome for dinner - or whatever you needed most.