Realty is another word for real estate, meaning land and any buildings permanently attached to it. When someone works in realty, they help people buy, sell, or rent houses, apartments, office buildings, or plots of land.

The word comes from “real,” but here it means something different from “actual” or “true.” In this case, real refers to physical property you can touch and walk on, as opposed to personal property like furniture or money. A house is realty because it's fixed to the ground and can't be moved. Your bicycle isn't realty because you can take it with you anywhere.

You'll often see realty in business names like “Johnson Realty” or “Sunrise Realty Company.” These businesses employ real estate agents who know the local market, understand property values, and guide buyers through the process of purchasing a home. The word sounds formal and professional, which is why businesses sometimes prefer it over the more common phrase “real estate” in their official names.

When your family looks for a new home, you might visit a realty office where agents show listings of available properties. The agent can be a helpful guide through one of the biggest purchases many families ever make.