What does accretion mean in real estate?

Accretion in real estate refers to the gradual and natural increase in the size or area of a property, typically through the accumulation of soil or sediment deposited by rivers or tides. This process can enhance the value of a property as it expands its boundaries and creates additional usable land. It is a significant concept in property rights and can affect ownership and boundaries, particularly along waterfronts. Understanding accretion is important for real estate brokers, as it can influence both property appraisal and legal issues regarding land ownership. The other concepts listed do not describe the process of accretion; erosion refers to land loss, transfer of ownership involves legal property rights rather than physical land changes, and construction pertains to improvements made to existing structures rather than changes in property size.