Housing or real estate assets include tangible assets such as land, dwellings, vacation homes, and rental properties. For many people, housing assets represent the bulk of their savings. These assets are often, but not always, the place where you live and will eventually retire. People often purchase housing assets to fulfill personal goals or to earn capital appreciation and income. The value of a housing asset is based on its current market value, or its appraised value; the appraised value is a value established by an independent appraiser who takes into account similar houses in the neighborhood or city.