How do I grant a deed to buyers in California?

Granting a CA deed to buyers can be very simple or incredibly complex depending on the type of deed you are giving to your buyers. It is usually a good idea for each side to have an experienced real estate attorney involved in the purchase or even a rental of real estate since this saves time as well as minimizes future problems that can spring up if you did not have legal counsel.

There are 5 different types of deeds:

• General Warranty Deed: This type of deed grants warranties to the buyer with respect to all previous owners.

• Special Warranty Deed: This deed grants warranties to the buyer and asserts that there are no competing claims to the title that the owner is aware of.
• Bargain & Sale Deed: This deed implies that the grantor has the right to give the buyer a title but does not warrant against encumbrances on the title.
• Quitclaim Deed: This deed simply conveys to the buyer whatever interest the seller has.
• Deed of Trust/Trust Deed: This is the deed given to transfer title of the land to a trustee, which holds the title in escrow for a mortgage loan. Used in California for property that will have a mortgage the buyer has to pay for.

Each party should read the deed carefully before signing and notarization is highly advisable. Some states also require an attorney to be involved in real estate transfers so again, an experienced attorney licensed in California would be helpful here.