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Since 2003, Dan Green has been a leading mortgage lender and respected industry authority. His unwavering commitment to first-time home buyers and home buyer education has established him as a trusted voice among his colleagues, his peers, and the media. Dan founded Homebuyer.com to expand the American Dream of Homeownership to all who want it. Read more about Dan Green.
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A deed is a legal document that conveys ownership of real property from one party to another and contains a proper property description.
In real estate, a deed is a legal document that proves an official transfer of property ownership from one entity to another. A deed is provided at settlement. The home seller gives the deed to the buyer, as witnessed by a notary public.
Without a deed, the home cannot be not legally conveyed from seller to buyer.
There are three common deed types in real estate.
The first is a Warranty Deed.
Warranty deeds give home buyers the highest level of protection in a home purchase transaction because, with a warranty deed, the home seller is guaranteeing a clear title to the property, free from any liens or encumbrances.
Another common deed type is the Quitclaim Deed.
Quitclaim deeds are typically when transferring property in non-arms-length transactions among known parties, like family members, or when correcting a title defect such as a spelling mistake. Quitclaim deeds are also used in refinancing.
A third standard deed type is the Special Purpose Deed, reserved for specific circumstances such as executing a legal will or making court-ordered property transfers.
A valid deed contains five sections.
The deed clearly identifies the grantor (seller) and the grantee (buyer), ensuring there is no ambiguity about the parties involved in the transaction.
Unlike a simple address, this is a detailed description of the property being transferred. It includes boundaries, measurements, and any other defining characteristics, ensuring the exact piece of property is unmistakably identified.
These words demonstrate the grantor’s intention to transfer the property. Phrases like “convey and warrant” are commonly used to indicate this intent.
The deed must be signed by the grantor, affirming their consent and action in transferring the property.
This component refers to what the grantee gives, typically monetary value, in exchange for the property. It legitimizes the transaction as a bona fide exchange.
Consider a scenario where an individual purchases a new home. The transfer of ownership from the seller to the buyer is legally finalized and recognized through the execution of a deed.
This deed, often a warranty deed in such cases, cements the buyer’s ownership and assures them of the property’s clear title, safeguarding their investment.
A deed typically includes the legal description of the property, names of the grantor and grantee, the date, consideration paid for the property, and the grantor’s signature.<
A deed is a physical, legal document that transfers ownership of the property, while a title is a conceptual term representing ownership rights in a property.
Yes, there are several types of deeds, including warranty deeds, which guarantee that the grantor holds clear title to the property, and quitclaim deeds, which convey only the grantor’s interest in the property, with no guarantees.
Yes, a deed can be legally binding even if it’s not recorded, but recording is crucial to protect the new owner’s claim to the property against claims by subsequent purchasers or lenders.
Copies of deeds can usually be obtained from the county recorder’s office or the county clerk’s office where the property is located, often for a small fee.
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Mortgage Rate Assumptions
The Homebuyer.com mortgage rates shown on this page are based on assumptions about you, your home, and the state where you plan to purchase. The rate shown is accurate as of , but please remember that mortgage rates change without notice based on mortgage bond market activity.
The Homebuyer.com mortgage rates shown on this page are based on assumptions about you, your home, and the state where you plan to purchase. The rate shown is accurate as of {{ formatDate(rates[0].createdAt) }}, but please remember that mortgage rates change without notice based on mortgage bond market activity.
Our mortgage rate assumptions may differ from those made by the other mortgage lenders in the comparison table. Your actual mortgage rate, APR, points, and monthly payment are unlikely to match the table above unless you match the description below:
You are a first-time buyer purchasing a single-family home to be your primary residence in any state other than New York, Hawaii, and Alaska. You have a credit score of 660 or higher. You are making a down payment of twenty percent and using a 30-year conventional fixed-rate mortgage. You earn a low-to-moderate household income relative to your area.
The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be confused for a mortgage rate commitment or a mortgage loan approval.
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