Definition of "Acre in Real Estate"

Beth Hahn real estate agent

Written by

Beth Hahnelite badge icon

Ivester Jackson | Christie

An acre is defined as a land unit that is commonly used in the US customary and imperial systems of 66 by 660 feet (one chain by one furlong). An acre is a measure of volume used in many countries. Meaning “open field” is commonly used to measure tracts of land and was first defined back in the middle age for measuring the amount of land a yoke of oxen could plow in one day. With the International yard and pound agreement of 1959, the acre was determined to represent precisely 4,046.856 422 4 square meters, and the other measuring systems translated it accordingly. 

Because we do not use just one unit of measurement globally, an acre is recognized as a statute measure in the United Kingdom, most countries of the former British Empire, and the United States. What should be noted, however, is that, while the measurement can be legally used for trade and measurements of tracts of land, it should only be given as secondary information and should not be used for land registration.

The Size of an Acre

Considering that we no longer use yokes of oxen to measure land, you might be wondering how big is an acre. The measurement of an acre can be of any shape, not only rectangular. The only necessity is that it amounts to a total area of 43,560 square feet. To better visualize, imagine something like a football field without both end zones.

An acre is about 4,047 square meters, 43,560 square feet, around 40% of a hectare, 1/640 of a square mile. It is essential to check the documents for any land owned or bought, however,  to make sure that the measurements are in acres and not commercial acres. For a commercial acre, there is a slightly different method of measurement.

Real Estate Secrets:

Did you know that our real estate glossary has approximately 100 acres filled with real estate terms?

And if you’re not in the mood to walk this uncharted territory, find a real estate agent and let him trailblazer it for you.

Comments for Acre In Real Estate

Sheila Thompson Sheila Thompson said:

What is the meaning of property offset?

Apr 18, 2019  13:49:48

 
Real Estate Agent

Hello Sheila, are you thinking about properties under an offset statement

May 01, 2019  04:33:16
 
 
image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

When someone owns a house that is an abutting property, it means that the property is sharing a boundary with the property next to it. The two abutting properties are adjoining properties ...

The definition of option explains the term as something that can be chosen in spite of having multiple other alternatives. It could be an option for food, which shows a preference for one ...

A lessee (tenant) subleases the apartment to a third party .The tenant is now sandwiched between the lessor and the sublessee. In other words, the tenant is acting as a lessee to the ...

The term’s abstract of title definition is the recorded summary of a property’s history. Abstracts of title can be used to determine former and present ownerships of any ...

Buying real property subject to risk. For the high risk undertaken, the expected return is higher. The investor may lose all of part of the initial investment. ...

Deed used to transfer property rights to a governmental authority. ...

Large heavy piece of wood or other material generally running horizontally through a building providing support for other parts of the structure. The stringer usually runs in the direction ...

A written document terminating the terms of a lien through payment of all financial obligations. A lien release is given by the lienor, the one holding the lien, to the lienee, individual ...

Loss arising from the partial or complete destruction of property resulting from circumstances of a sudden, unanticipated or unusual nature. For example, fires, storms and floods to real ...

Popular Real Estate Questions