Which of the following best describes a fixture?

• A. A freestanding appliance
• B. A movable rug
• C. A portable satellite dish
• D. A permanently installed water heater

Answer: (D)

Fixtures are items that become part of the real estate because they’re attached in a way that ties them to the property, usually intended to stay with the home and integrated into its systems. The test for fixture status often looks at annexation (how firmly the item is attached), adaptation (whether the item is customized to fit the property), and intent (whether the parties expected it to stay with the property). A permanently installed water heater fits all these checks: it’s connected to the home’s plumbing and electrical systems, it’s integrated into the hot-water setup, and removing it would require work or damage. Because it’s attached, adapted for the home, and typically left with the property under a sale, it’s considered a fixture and passes with the real estate. In contrast, freestanding appliances, movable rugs, and portable satellite dishes aren’t attached or integrated in the same way, so they’re generally treated as personal property and don’t automatically transfer with the property.