What Is a Warranty Deed?

A warranty deed is a type of deed that conveys real property with certain guarantees. When a seller grants a warranty deed, they promise that they hold good and marketable title and will defend the buyer against claims arising from prior owners. This is the strongest type of deed available.

General vs. Special Warranty

There are two common forms of warranty deed:

• General Warranty Deed: The grantor warrants the title against defects arising at any time in the property’s chain of title, even before they owned it.
• Special Warranty Deed: The grantor only warrants against defects arising during their period of ownership. It does not protect against earlier encumbrances.

Why Use a Warranty Deed?

Warranty deeds provide the highest level of protection for buyers. They are commonly used in arm’s‑length transactions when purchasing property with title insurance. The covenants in the deed assure the buyer that the seller will stand behind the title and defend it against future claims.