Grant Deed

A grant deed is a legal document used in real estate transactions that transfers property ownership from one party (the grantor) to another (the grantee). It specifies the parties' names, a legal description of the property, and any relevant conditions or covenants associated with the transfer. The grantor warrants good title, meaning that the grantor guarantees that they have the legal right to transfer ownership of the property to the grantee and that the property is not subject to any outstanding liens or other encumbrances. The grant deed is signed by the grantor and notarized to verify the grantor's signature. In some states, the grant deed is recorded with the local county government to finalize the transfer of ownership. The grant deed is frequently used in real estate transactions.

Do your grant deeds comply with the applicable state laws?

Our grant deeds for all 50 states are in compliance with all state laws regarding their format and content, and they come equipped with checklists and instructions to help you complete the process.


Who are the intended purchasers of grant deeds?

✔ Any individual or entity seeking to convey real estate who wishes to ensure clear title to the property.

✔ Title companies or escrow companies who are facilitating the transfer while warranting good title.

✔ Banks or other financial institutions involved in the process of approving mortgage loans or other types of property financing.


What are the advantages of using a grant deed?

✔ Clear and Legal Transfer of Ownership: A grant deed legally and clearly transfers property ownership from the grantor to the grantee, providing evidence of the change in ownership and confirming the grantee's rights to the property.

✔ Warranty of Good Title: The grantor warrants good title, meaning that they guarantee that they have the legal right to transfer ownership of the property to the grantee and that no outstanding liens or encumbrances exist.

✔ Public Record: Grant deeds are recorded with the local government in many states, making the transfer of ownership a matter of public record. This public record can prove beneficial when resolving disputes or establishing property ownership.

✔ Commonly Used and Accepted: Grant deeds are commonly used and accepted in real estate transactions, and title companies, escrow companies, banks, and other financial institutions, typically accept them. This familiarity helps to streamline the transfer of ownership process.

✔ Minimal Restrictions: A grant deed can be used by any individual, organization, or entity with a legal right to transfer the property, as long as they have an interest in the property and the legal capacity to execute the deed.

✔ Instant Availability: Our grant deeds are instantly made available to download in Word format, making it easy for you to complete the process quickly and efficiently.

✔ Complete with Checklist and Instructions: Our grant deeds come complete with a checklist and instructions, making it easy to ensure that the document is completed correctly and efficiently.


What are the top disadvantages for the person receiving property conveyed by a grant deed?

The parties should take into account the following disadvantages for the person receiving property conveyed by a grant deed. If these concerns are a potential issue, the parties may consider using a warranty deed instead.

☞ No Implied Warranties: Unlike the assurances one receives with a warranty deed, a grant deed does not typically include any implied warranties or guarantees from the grantor. This absence of assurances means that the grantee assumes the property "as is" and may lack any legal recourse against the grantor if they discover any issues with the property.

☞ No Safeguards Against Undisclosed Defects: A grant deed typically does not include any protection for the grantee against defects in the property that the grantor did not disclose. The grantee may be responsible for any liens or encumbrances on the property that the grantor did not disclose.

☞ Limited Protection Against Title Defects: While a grant deed does provide some protection against title defects, it typically does not provide the same level of protection as a warranty deed. The grantor's warranty of good title is usually limited to their knowledge at the moment of transfer, which may fail to protect the grantee from title defects that subsequently arise.

☞ Lack of Protection Against Fraud or Misrepresentation: A grant deed typically does not include any protection against fraud or misrepresentation by the grantor. If the grantor made any false statements or representations in the grant deed, the grantee might lack legal recourse against them.

☞ Additional Costs: If title issues surface, the grantee may incur additional costs to clear the title, which could delay the transaction's closing.


Tips for a Smooth Real Estate Transaction: Utilizing Our Instructional Checklists

One should approach a real estate transaction with the utmost care and diligence. Our instructional checklists, included with every purchase of a grant deed from PublicLegal, are designed to assist you in completing your document. Please read the Initial Summary for your document and the checklist before beginning the process of filling out and executing the document. To avoid unnecessary complications, ensure that you have the complete names as they appear on the parties' government issued identification cards, addresses, and marital status for each party as well as a complete legal description and any prior recording information (i.e., from a prior transaction) for the property.

GRANT DEED

RECORDING REQUESTED BY
___________________________________

WHEN RECORDED MAIL TO
AND MAIL TAX STATEMENTS TO
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________

Title Order No. _________________________
Escrow No. ___________________________

THE UNDERSIGNED GRANTOR(S) DECLARE(S):

DOCUMENTARY TRANSFER TAX is __________________ CITY TAX is __________________
____ computed on the full value of the property conveyed, or
____ computed on full value less value of liens or encumbrances remaining at the time of sale,
____ Realty not sold
____ Unincorporated area ____ City of _______________, and

FOR A VALUABLE CONSIDERATION, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged,

___________________________________

hereby GRANT(S) to

___________________________________

the following described real property in the city of _______________, County of _______________, State of _______________:

A.P.N. ______________________
Dated: ______________________


___________________________________
Signature of Grantor #1


___________________________________
Full Name of Grantor #1


___________________________________
Signature of Grantor #2


___________________________________
Full Name of Grantor #2

A notary public or other officer completing this certificate verifies only the identity of the individual who signed the document, to which this certificate is attached, and not the truthfulness, accuracy, or validity of that document.

STATE OF ________________
COUNTY OF ________________

On __________________ before me,___________________________________ (here insert name and title of the officer), personally appeared___________________________________ ___________________________________, who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies), and that by his/her/their signature(s) on the instrument the person(s), or the entity upon behalf of which the person(s) acted, executed the instrument.
I certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY under the laws of the State of ________________ that the foregoing paragraph is true and correct.
WITNESS my hand and official seal.
___________________________________ (Seal)
Signature

Mail Tax Statements as Directed Above