What term describes the conversion of real property into personal property by detaching it?

Severance is the correct term that describes the process of converting real property into personal property by detaching it. This concept is important in real estate because it illustrates the distinction between what is considered real property—land and anything permanently attached to it—and personal property, which consists of movable items that are not permanently affixed to the land.

When a fixture, such as a built-in appliance or a tree, is detached from the land or the structure, it undergoes severance and is transformed from real property into personal property. This change in classification can have implications for ownership rights, taxes, and transferability. Understanding severance helps individuals grasp how property rights can fluctuate based on physical attachments or detachments, which is fundamental in real estate transactions.

In contrast, other terms related to property conveyance, such as easement, annexation, and conversion, do not accurately describe this specific action. An easement pertains to the right to use someone else's land for a specific purpose, while annexation refers to the process of adding personal property to real property, thereby making it a part of the real estate. Conversion generally involves changing the legal status of an item, but it does not specifically reference the detachment process that defines severance.