General Warranty Deed Form
All states | 2 types
Understanding what a general warranty deed form is can be crucial in real estate transactions because it offers the buyer the highest level of protection. Moreover, this sample warranty deed includes assurances about the property's history, covering not just the current owner's period but also any potential claims from previous owners.
What Is a General Warranty Deed?
The general warranty deed forms ensure the property being transferred from the seller (grantor) to the buyer (grantee) is free from any debts, liens, or other issues. Included in a general warranty deed is a detailed history of the property, outlining previous ownership and any significant changes.
By using the general warranty deed templates, the seller commits to transferring full and undisputed ownership of the property, giving you confidence and legal protection in your real estate transaction.
How To Use a Warranty Deed
A general warranty deed form is an essential document in real estate transactions that ensures there are no hidden issues with the property that could lead to legal problems concerning debts or title rights. This deed provides the buyer with full protection, making it crucial for anyone investing in property.
Both the buyer and seller must accurately complete the warranty deed template, have it signed by the required parties after notarization, and then file it with the county office.
Here are the situations when you can use a free warranty deed form:
Purchasing a home
When you’re buying a home, using a general warranty deed sample is a smart move to make sure the title is clear and free of any hidden ownership issues.Buying commercial property
If you’re buying a commercial property, it’s key to protect your investment by ensuring the seller has a clear title.Transferring property ownership
General warranty deeds help ensure everything is secure and clear when transferring property between parties who aren’t familiar with each other.Refinancing or changing ownership
If refinancing a property or adjusting ownership details, this deed can be used to clarify and secure the updated ownership status.Inheritance transfers
To legally pass property to heirs without disputes, a general warranty deed example deed helps confirm clear ownership and title.
By general warranty deed downloading in these situations, you can confidently complete property transactions with full protection against potential title issues.
What Are the Other Types of Deeds?
Real estate deals involve several varieties of deeds, all offering varying degrees protections and safeguards to the buyer. A general warranty deed offers the broadest set of protections, but it may still be beneficial to know how this type of situation differs from other more common deeds.
Quit claim deed
This type of deed transfers whatever interest the current owner has in the property without guaranteeing a valid or clear claim. It offers no protection against claims from previous owners, making it high-risk for the grantee. Typically used between trusted parties, such as family members, due to potential ownership disputes.
Special warranty deed
A special warranty deed promises that the seller had a clear title during their time of ownership, but it doesn’t cover any issues that might have existed before they owned the property. It also protects the buyer by ensuring the seller won’t create any new title problems while they still own the property. This type of deed is often used by sellers who want to minimize their liability for any title issues that happened before they took ownership.
Transfer on Death Deed (TODD)
This legal document allows the property to pass directly to an intended beneficiary after the owner passes instead of through probate. For it to be valid, one must have filed it with the county office before they pass away. Its use and legality vary by state, so checking local laws is essential.
How To Craft the General Warranty Deed Form on Lawrina
Creating a document using the Lawrina printable warranty deed involves a few steps:
- Choose the template
Go to the Lawrina platform and select the general warranty deed sample to begin the process. - Fill out the form
Provide all required information in the blank warranty deed, and the template will automatically populate with your answers. - Verify the document
Carefully review the generated document to ensure accuracy and completeness. - Store the document
The warranty deed form PDF format template will be saved to your Lawrina account, allowing you to access and modify it as needed. - Digitally sign the document
Use Lawrina's Sign feature to add electronic signatures to the document, making it a legally binding agreement.
How To Record Your General Warranty Deed
You need to submit the deed to the local county office. This usually happens after both the seller and buyer have signed and completed the deed. Filing the deed makes the ownership change public and updates the official records to show the new owner's name.
Related Documents
Also Read
Frequently Asked Questions
Quitclaim deeds state only the interest that the grantor (the individual transferring the property) holds in the property, and do not guarantee that the property is free of other interests. The warranty deed guarantees the title to the property is free from liens, debts, and other interests that may exist in the future. Quitclaim deeds are generally used to transfer real estate between known parties, such as spouses or family members, where the extra layer of protection offered by warranty deeds may not be necessary. As an example, if a property owner has divorced, they might use a quitclaim deed to add the name of their new spouse (if applicable) to the title of the said premises.
The warranty deed simply guarantees that the title of a property is free from any interests held by others at the time of its sale. By adding a trustee to the transaction, a deed of trust ensures neutrality between a borrower and lender. A trustee is usually a legal entity separate from the borrower or lender. Someone uses a deed of trust when a lender loans money to a borrower for the borrower to purchase a property. In contrast, a deed of the trust transfers ownership of the property to a neutral trustee until the borrower fully repays the loan.
Concerned parties must sign a warranty deed in the presence of a notary public to be legal. Once notarized, someone must file the document with the city or county office that records property documents. It is important to note that all previously billed property taxes must be paid in full before taking this step.