The 4 Major Types of Real Estate Title Deeds

Types of Deeds Explained

The vast majority of real estate transactions use one of four types of deeds to convey title. The differences between them are primarily the covenants and warranties conveyed by the grantor—the individual or entity transferring the property—to the grantee, the individual or entity who is receiving it.

Warranties and covenants can vary from few-to-none in a quitclaim deed to the significant warranties conveyed in a general warranty deed.

Deeds can be less than one page, or they can be several pages long. They're normally prepared by an attorney. A deed is a legally defensible instrument after it's been signed by all parties, transferring property between them pursuant to its various restrictions, covenants, and special granting clauses. 

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The General Warranty Deed

A general warranty deed provides the highest level of protection for the buyer because it includes significant covenants or warranties conveyed by the grantor to the grantee. Specifically, this type of deed promises that the grantor/seller owns and/or has a legal right to sell the property, and that it is free and clear of any liens, debts, or encumbrances.  

The exact rules and provisions of a general warranty deed can vary somewhat by state, but you'll typically find the words "warrant generally" and "convey and warrant" contained in the verbiage. "Warrant" is the key term. It means "guarantee," and the seller/grantor is legally bound by the warranties conveyed. 

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The Special Warranty Deed

A special warranty deed doesn't provide as much protection for the buyer. The grantor of this type of deed conveys the property along with just two warranties—that the grantor does indeed hold title to the property, and that the property wasn't encumbered during the grantor's period of ownership. It doesn't guarantee that it was unencumbered before the grantor took ownership, however. 

You'll most likely encounter this type of deed when a trust or estate is transferring property, or when commercial property is sold. The seller might not have any knowledge of what transpired with the property before taking ownership, so it won't guarantee that the title was free before that point in time. 

These deeds might say that the grantor "remises, releases, alienates, and conveys" interest in the property. The warranties are standard unless otherwise specified in the deed.

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The Bargain and Sale Deed

A buyer gets no protection from encumbrances whatsoever with a bargain and sale deed. This deed merely states that the grantor holds title to the property, but it doesn't assert that it's also free of liens. The grantee could be in trouble if title defects appear at a later date because the deed doesn't guarantee good title. The grantee would therefore have no legal recourse.

This type of deed has very specialized uses. It's most frequently found in tax sales and foreclosure actions when the history of a property might be a bit murky. The current owner is typically the lender or a taxing authority and doesn't know the property's history either with the last owner or at any time prior to then. 

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The Quitclaim Deed

A quitclaim deed provides the least protection for the buyer, and its uses are very limited. This type of deed simply transfers any interest the grantor might have in the property. It doesn't guarantee that the grantor has any interest to convey.

You could enter into a quitclaim deed to transfer ownership of your neighbor's home because it effectively says, "If I own this property, it's all yours." The grantor terminates or "quits" any right and claim to the property, allowing the right or claim to transfer to the recipient/grantee.

Nor does this type of deed make any warranties against liens or encumbrances. It's most often used in divorce situations when property is being transferred between spouses and both have knowledge of the property's history. Presumably, they acquired it by general warranty deed and they know everything that's transpired with it since then. 

Deeds Aren't the Only Limitations to Ownership Rights

There can be restrictions on ownership in deeds as well, but the vast majority of restrictions and covenants related to the use of property are contained in homeowner association documents and condominium association rules.