Currency is a class of asset. A currency is an asset that maintains value, is highly liquid (fungible), and can serve as a unit of account. Of the three criteria, “real estate” as described by the OP only falls short in the third instance. Hence it is as “currency-like” as certain more traditional components of the monetary supply.

This is unusual since real estate is typically not very liquid, or at least wasn't considered to be liquid ‘enough’ and typically earns rates of return (net of maintenance) and had high opportunity costs (much how cigarettes in POW camps can only serve as currency if the prisoner decides not to actually smoke them, homes owned by those who dwell in them are not available for liquidation).