Which term describes an item of personal property converted to real property by being permanently affixed?

The correct term to describe an item of personal property that has been permanently affixed to real property, thereby converting it into real property, is a fixture. Fixtures are typically items that were once movable and are now attached to the land or a building in such a way that they become a part of the property.

For example, a chandelier that is hung from the ceiling becomes a fixture once it is securely installed, as it is no longer a movable item but rather part of the home’s structure. This distinction is critical in real estate because it affects ownership rights and the sale of property; fixtures are generally included in real estate transactions while personal property is not.

In this context, an easement refers to the right to use another person's land for a specific purpose and does not involve the conversion of personal property to real property. Encroachment involves an intrusion onto another person's property, such as a fence or building that extends beyond property lines, and is unrelated to the classification of property. An appurtenance is a right or privilege that comes with property, such as a parking space or water rights, but does not involve affixing personal property to real property.

Thus, the term fixture accurately describes the process of personal property being converted into real property