A real estate buyer is best protected by a General Warranty Deed. The seller or grantor conveys the property with certain covenants or warranties. The grantor is legally bound by these warranties. Whether expressly written into the deed, or implied by certain statutory words, basic warranties include:
Covenant of seisin-Seisin means possession, and the grantor warrants that they own the property and have the legal right to convey it.
Covenant against encumbrances-The Grantor warrants that the property is free of any liens or encumbrances unless they're specifically stated in the deed.
Covenant of quiet enjoyment-The buyer is guaranteed that the title will be good against third parties attempting to establish title to the property.
Covenant of further assurance- The Grantor promises, in order to make the title good, they will deliver any document or instrument necessary.
The covenants or warranties in a general warranty deed do not cover just the period of ownership of this grantor. They extend back to the origin of the property. Each grantor of a general warranty deed in the title chain would be liable for title problems before and through their ownership.
