what is a realized gain 
a realized gain results from selling an asset at a price higher than the original purchase price it occurs when an asset is sold at a level that exceeds its book value cost while an asset may be carried on a balance sheet at a level far above cost any gains while the asset is still being held are considered unrealized as the asset is only being valued at fair market value if selling an asset results in a loss there is a realized loss instead a realized gain can be compared with an unrealized gain 