What type of deed should I use to transfer property in Maryland?

The Maryland deed you should use to transfer property depends on the type of ownership you have in the property and the type of transfer involved.

There are a few different types of deeds:

• Grant/Warranty Deed: affirms that the person transferring the property has good and lawful right to title as well as the right to sell that title to the buyer; this deed also protects the buyer from opposing third party claims to title; the most common type of deed used in property transfer as well as the best one for a buyer.

• Special/Limited Warranty Deed: similar to a warranty deed but only covers the time period the current owner had the property; this deed will not protect the buyer from work done to the property by a previous owner or title defects prior to the seller's ownership.
• Quitclaim Deed: transfers to someone whatever title or interest you had in the property; there is no warranty that the person transferring the property has any clear title or even any interest in the property being transferred; no promises come from this type of deed and it offers no protection from third party claims
• Trust/Mortgage Deed: allows a borrower purchasing property to transfer good and lawful title to the trustee in exchange for the borrower repaying the mortgage debt to a lender; offers security for mortgage debt

Your particular transfer situation plus your title ownership status will determine which deed is best for you.  A real estate attorney can also be helpful here.