appreciation

Appreciation

Increase in the value of an asset.

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Appreciation

An increase in value of a property or other asset. Most property depreciates, and it is fairly rare to discuss a property's appreciation. Real estate and securities are major exceptions, since real estate tends to appreciate over time and securities may increase or decrease in value depending on market conditions. Appreciation may be used to calculate capital gains or property taxes. See also: Capital appreciation.

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appreciation

1. An increase in value, as of an asset.

2. Used to distinguish between securities that are likely to provide profits because of increases in price and those that provide dividend payments.

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Appreciation. When an asset such as stock, real estate, or personal property increases in value without any improvements or modification having been made to it, that's called appreciation.

Some personal assets, such as fine art or antiques, may appreciate over time, while others -- such as electronic equipment -- usually lose value, or depreciate.

Certain investments also have the potential to appreciate. A number of factors can cause an asset to appreciate, among them inflation, uniqueness, or increased demand.

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appreciation

The process of increasing in value. As a practical matter, although the IRS allows taxpayers to depreciate real property improvements as if they were becoming less valuable over time and will eventually be worthless, real property generally appreciates over time with proper maintenance and repair.