In a real estate transaction, which is most likely considered personal property?

In real estate transactions, personal property refers to movable items that are not permanently attached to or part of the real estate. Window air conditioners are typically regarded as personal property because they are not built into the structure itself and can be easily removed without causing damage. Although they serve a function similar to that of a built-in appliance, their nature as standalone units that are not fixed to the property distinguishes them as personal property.

Built-in appliances, water heaters, and lighting fixtures, on the other hand, are considered fixtures. Fixtures are items that were once personal property but have been permanently affixed to the property, thereby becoming a part of the real estate. As such, they are generally included in the sale of a property unless explicitly excluded in the purchase agreement. Understanding these classifications helps in discerning what items will pass with the property during a transaction and which will not.