What is a general warranty?

A general warranty deed is a document that confirms that the seller has the right to sell the property and the buyer will be getting it without any legal complications (e.g. debt). It is an important part of real estate deals.

What is the most common type of warranty deed?

A general warranty deed is the most common. It is the most comprehensive and confirms the fact that the owner has the right to sell the property. Other variants are either situation-specific (e.g. mortgage deed) or contain less information (e.g. quit claim deed).

Who benefits the most from a warranty deed?

The buyer benefits the most from a warranty deed. Having it mitigates against unpleasant surprises, like other claimants to the property or debts associated with it. This is most applicable with the general warranty deed and less so with other forms.

General Warranty Deed Template

Created by:

[Preparer.FirstName][Preparer.LastName][Preparer.Company]

Prepared for:

[Recipient.FirstName][Recipient.LastName]

[Recipient.Company]

This deed was prepared by: [Preparer.FirstName][Preparer.LastName], residing at [Preparer.StreetAddress][Preparer.City][Preparer.State][Preparer.PostalCode].

Once fully executed and notarized, please return to: [Recipient.FirstName][Recipient.LastName], residing at [Recipient.StreetAddress][Recipient.City][Recipient.State][Recipient.PostalCode].

Know all men by these presents that this deed is made on and executed on (Signing.Month) (Signing.Day), in the year of (Signing.Year), by and between [Grantor.FirstName][Grantor.LastName] (the “Grantor(s)”) and [Grantee.FirstName][Grantee.LastName] (the “Grantee(s)”), whose mailing address is [Grantee.Email].

WHEREAS, for and in consideration of the sum of (Property.SellingPriceWritten) (Property.SellingPriceNumerals), paid to [Grantor.FirstName][Grantor.LastName] (the Grantor(s)), who hereby acknowledges and confirms receipt of said funds and hereby grants, conveys, and warrants to [Grantee.FirstName][Grantee.LastName] (the “Grantee”) and his/her/their heirs the real property located at [Property.StreetAddress][Property.City] in the City of [Property.City], in the County of [Property.Country], and in the state of [Property.State], which holds the following legal description:

(Property.LegalDescription)

Tax Parcel ID: (Property.TaxParcelNumber)

Covenant of seisin

WHEREAS, [Grantor.FirstName][Grantor.LastName] (the “Grantor”), by signing this document, hereby confirms that he/she/they own the real property located at [Property.StreetAddress] and described above, and that he/she/they wish to convey said property to [Grantor.FirstName][Grantor.LastName] (the “Grantee”).

Covenant against encumbrances

WHEREAS, [Grantor.FirstName][Grantor.LastName] (the “Grantor”), by signing this warranty deed, hereby guarantees that no encumbrances, liens, easements, rights of way, or other legal burdens exist on [Property.StreetAddress] in [Property.City], [Property.State], except as described above, and that the real property described above is to be conveyed by this executed document to [Grantee.FirstName][Grantee.LastName] (the “Grantee”) without any limitation or restriction.

Covenant of the right to convey

WHEREAS, [Grantor.FirstName][Grantor.LastName] (the “Grantor”), by signing this warranty deed, does hereby attest that he/she/they own the real property located at [Property.StreetAddress] in [Property.City], [Property.State], which is described above, and that they have the unencumbered right to sell said property to [Grantee.FirstName][Grantee.LastName] (the “Grantee”).

Covenant for quiet enjoyment

WHEREAS, [Grantor.FirstName][Grantor.LastName] (the “Grantor”), by executing this legal document, does hereby affirm that, once conveyed to [Grantee.FirstName][Grantee.LastName] (the “Grantee”), the Grantee shall not be disturbed in their possession of [Property.StreetAddress] in [Property.City], [Property.State], which is described above.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this deed is duly executed by the Grantor(s) and Grantee(s) on (Deed.SigningDate):

Signature

MM / DD / YYYY

[Grantor.FirstName][Grantor.LastName]

Signature

MM / DD / YYYY

[Grantee.FirstName][Grantee.LastName]

Witnesses

The execution of this deed has been witnessed by the below individuals, who attest to its authenticity:

Signature

MM / DD / YYYY

[Witness.FirstName][Witness.LastName]

Notarization

State of (Deed.SigningState)

County of (Deed.Signing County)

I, [Notary.FirstName][Notary.LastName], a notary public in and for the state of (Deed.SigningState), do hereby attest that this legal document was signed (or attested) voluntarily before me on (Deed.SigningDate) by [Grantor.FirstName][Grantor.LastName] and [Grantee.FirstName][Grantee.LastName], who are either personally known to me or proved to me by photo identification card on this (Deed.SigningDate) day of (Deed.SigningMonth), (Deed.SigningYear).

MM / DD / YYYY

Signature

[Notary.FirstName][Notary.LastName]

NOTARY PUBLIC

My commission expires: (Notary.CommissionExpiration)