The history of real estate in the United States is a narrative of profound transformation, shifting from early colonial concepts of land as a fundamental right to the current highly sophisticated, technologically integrated global market. The foundation of this history was laid during the Colonial Era, driven by territorial expansion and early speculation. This informal system began to professionalize in the 19th and early 20th centuries with the establishment of the first brokerage firms and the creation of organizations like the National Association of Realtors (NAR) in 1908, leading to the introduction of state licensing laws. Key financial innovations, such as long-term mortgage.