What does the term "voluntary alienation" refer to?

Voluntary alienation refers to the process where an owner willingly transfers their property to another party. This involves a deliberate act, such as selling or gifting the property. The key aspect of voluntary alienation is the owner's consent and intention to relinquish their ownership rights, which differentiates it from involuntary forms of alienation, such as foreclosure or eminent domain, where the transfer occurs without the owner's consent or due to legal compulsion.

In this context, the concept encompasses various forms of property transfer, including sales, gifts, or exchanges, all of which imply a mutual agreement between the parties involved. Understanding voluntary alienation is essential within real estate transactions since it highlights the rights of property owners and the legal mechanisms available for transferring ownership.