National Real Estate Practice Exam

How are fixtures defined in real estate?

1. Personal property easily removed

2. Items of personal property attached to real property

3. Only those included in a sale contract

4. Items designated for rental properties

The correct answer is: Items of personal property attached to real property

Fixtures in real estate are defined as items of personal property that have been attached to real property in such a way that they become part of that property. This relationship means that when property is sold, the fixtures typically remain with the property unless explicitly excluded in the purchase agreement. To understand this definition more thoroughly, consider the nature of fixtures: when a homeowner installs items such as light fixtures, built-in shelves, or plumbing fixtures, these items are often understood to remain with the home because they are attached in a permanent manner. The other choices focus on different aspects but do not fully capture the essence of what defines a fixture. Personal property that is easily removable may not qualify as a fixture because it does not have a permanent attachment to the real estate. The notion that only those items included in a sale contract can be considered fixtures overlooks that the legal status of a fixture generally applies regardless of the sale contract unless specified otherwise. Lastly, including only items designated for rental properties limits the definition and does not encompass all types of fixtures that can be found in both owned and leased properties. Therefore, the option that identifies fixtures as items of personal property attached to real property is the most accurate representation.