What does "alienation" refer to in the context of real estate?

Alienation in the context of real estate refers specifically to the transfer of property ownership from one person to another. This can take various forms, such as selling the property, gifting it, or transferring it through inheritance. The term captures the idea of moving ownership rights from one party and assigning them to another, which is a fundamental aspect of property transactions and real estate law.

The other concepts, while related to real estate, do not accurately capture the meaning of alienation. Leasing property involves granting temporary use of a property without transferring ownership; obtaining a mortgage relates to securing a loan backed by the property, and property appreciation is about the increase in a property's value over time. Each of these processes involves different legal considerations and impacts on property rights, but they do not encapsulate the definition of alienation.