A general warranty deed is the most protective type of deed used in real estate transactions. It transfers ownership from the seller (grantor) to the buyer (grantee) and guarantees the seller holds clear, unencumbered title to the property — covering defects that arose before or during the seller’s ownership. If title problems appear after closing, the seller is legally responsible for fixing them or compensating the buyer.
Most private residential sales use a general warranty deed. Example: John sells his house to Sarah with a general warranty deed; if an old lien from a previous owner appears later, John is responsible for resolving it or reimbursing Sarah.
A general warranty deed protects buyers from problems that originated before the seller owned the property. Example: an unpaid property tax lien from a prior owner must be cleared by the seller under the deed’s guarantees.
Commercial buyers sometimes insist on a general warranty deed when they need maximum protection, although sellers often prefer a special warranty deed to limit their exposure.
When an estate sells property, a general warranty deed can assure buyers the estate conveys clear title; the executor warrants against existing title defects.
Buyers commonly pair a general warranty deed with title insurance. The deed places responsibility on the seller to fix defects; title insurance protects the buyer if the seller cannot or will not resolve an issue.
A couple buys a home and later discovers a contractor placed a lien five years earlier. Because the sale used a general warranty deed, the seller must clear the lien or compensate the buyers, even though the issue predated the seller’s ownership.
A general warranty deed is the gold standard for protecting buyers in real estate. It guarantees clear title for the property's entire history and holds the seller accountable for resolving or compensating for title defects, making it the preferred choice for buyers who want maximum security in a transaction.
