A deed is an instrument by which an owner (the grantor) transfers an interest in land to a new owner (the grantee). No consideration is required to make the deed effective. The deed is necessary to transfer title to land even if it is a gift. It has no effect, and title does not pass until the deed has been delivered. The recording of the deed is not required to make the deed effective to pass title between the buyer and the seller. However, recording is necessary so that the public will know that the buyer is the present owner. Recording constitutes "notice to the world" of the transfer in title.
The grantor is the person selling the property. The grantee is the person buying the property. A grant deed is a deed containing an implied warranty that there are no encumbrances on the property not described in the deed and that the person transferring the property actually owns the title. It must describe the property by legal description of boundaries and/or parcel numbers, be signed by all people transferring the property, and be acknowledged before a notary public. It is in contrast to a quit claim deed, which only conveys the interest that the transferor actually owns, if any, without a warranty of ownership.
A District of Columbia Grant Deed is a legal document used to transfer ownership of real property from one party to another within the District of Columbia. It is commonly used in real estate transactions when a property owner granterro— - wishes to sell or transfer their ownership rights to a buyer — the grantee. The Grant Deed is an important legal instrument that ensures the buyer receives clear title to the property and protects their ownership rights. It guarantees that the granter has full legal authority to sell or transfer the property and that there are no undisclosed liens, encumbrances, or claims on the property. The deed also includes a guarantee from the granter that they will defend the buyer's title against any future claims to the property. Different types of Grant Deeds may include variations in the way they guarantee title ownership. Some common types are: 1. General Warranty Deed: This type of Grant Deed provides the highest level of protection to the grantee. The granter guarantees the title against any defects or claims that may arise from any previous owners, even if they occurred before the granter acquired the property. 2. Special Warranty Deed: This type of Grant Deed is similar to the general warranty deed but limits the granter's warranties to only the time they owned the property. Any issues occurring before their ownership are not covered. 3. Quitclaim Deed: While not specifically a Grant Deed, a Quitclaim Deed is also commonly used in real estate transactions within the District of Columbia. It transfers the granter's ownership rights without making any warranties or guarantees about the property's title. It is generally used when there is a close relationship between the granter and grantee, such as in a family transfer or to clear up any ambiguities in an existing title. When drafting or reviewing a District of Columbia Grant Deed, it is important to ensure all necessary information is included in the document. This includes the names and addresses of both the granter and grantee, an accurate legal description of the property being transferred, and any additional terms or conditions agreed upon by the parties involved. Overall, a District of Columbia Grant Deed is a vital legal tool used in real estate transactions to transfer ownership rights. It provides protection to both the buyer and seller, guaranteeing a clear title free from any undisclosed issues or claims. Understanding the different types of Grant Deeds available can help parties choose the most appropriate option for their specific needs.
