Real Property _ Titles Flashcards
Deeds
What does it do?
DEEDS
- Transfers legal title on day of closing
Present Warranties (3)
DEEDS
- Warranty of Seisin: The grantor promises that they actually own the property and that no other person has a conflicting present or future possessory interest
- Right to Convey: The grantor asserts they have the legal right to convey or transfer legal title to the property.
- Covenant Against Encumbrances: The grantor warrants that there are no encumbrances (like easements, mortgages, real covenants, liens or outstanding claims) on the property
Note: If Present Warranties are breached, they are breached on the day of closing
Rules Regarding Breach of Covenant Against Encumbrances
(Majority v Minority)
DEEDS
Under the majority rule, a covenant against encumbrances is breached even if the buyer knows of an
encumbrance.
Under the minority rule, there is no breach if the seller knows of a physical encumbrance.
Future Warranties
DEEDS
- Warranty of Quiet Enjoyment: The grantee will not be disturbed by any future claims against the property.
- Warranty: The grantor promises to defend the grantee against future claims that may arise.
- Warranty of Further Assurances: The grantor agrees to do whatever is necessary to fix any defects in the title in the future.
Note: Future Warranties last forever
DEEDS
General Warranty Deed:
- Promise for all 6 warranties since property was developed/created
RULE: The grantor of a warranty deed conveys six covenants with the deed: (1) the covenant of seisin; (2) covenant of right to convey; (3) covenant against encumbrances; (4) covenant of quiet enjoyment; (5) covenant of warranty; and (6) covenant of further assurances.
DEEDS
What are the typical limitations on a grantee’s damages in case of a breach of one of the covenants of title?
When a grantor breaches one of the covenants of title, the grantee’s damages are generally limited to the purchase price received by the grantor plus incidental damages.
DEEDS
Special Warranty Deed:
- Promise for all 6 warranties since seller had title
“everything is okay while I HAD TITLE not anything previous to me”
DEEDS
Quitclaim Deed:
- No promises regarding title
quitclaim deed = no promises, no assurances. i giving you what title i have today, can’t promise it’s good title.
- can’t sue the buyer, bc you didn’t sell good title w/ promises
“it isss what it issss”
Writing
FORMALITIES OF CLOSING
- To satisfy Statute of Frauds
- the deed must be in writing, SOF part performance allowed
Delivery of Deed:
FORMALITIES OF CLOSING
- Intent of the seller to give up control
INTENT to transfer title, relinquish all control to give grantee/buyer the deed
Acceptance of Deed:
FORMALITIES OF CLOSING
Acceptance is presumed, unless grantee/buyer rejects it or gives it back to seller/grantor!
Merger
FORMALITIES OF CLOSING
- On the day of closing, the contents of the real estate contract merge into the deed.
- All terms, obligations, and conditions are then governed by the deed itself.
Description of the Property:
FORMALITIES OF CLOSING
- Must be “reasonably definitive”
- Unique, distinctive features can suffice if they clearly differentiate the property (e.g., a house with a large, unique rock or a distinctive lawn marking).
- Generic descriptions (like a white fence) are insufficient in neighborhoods where multiple properties share similar features.
- The key is whether a reasonable person can identify the property based on the description given
Conveyance of Deed by Inter Vivos Trust
TRANSFER OF PROPERTY BY WILL OR LAW
A landowner may transfer property by deed when there is (1) donative intent, (2) delivery, and (3) acceptance (which is presumed).
TRANSFER OF PROPERTY BY WILL OR LAW
Donative Intent
Conveyance of Deed by Inter Vivos Trust
Courts examine whether the grantor intended to pass title; no physical transfer of a deed is required.
Delivery
Conveyance of Deed by Inter Vivos Trust
- Recording a deed implies a presumption of delivery, even if the Grantee does not know about the deed.
- In many jurisdictions, an oral condition set by the grantor is often ignored, and delivery is considered complete.
- If the grantor dies and the deed is still with them, it is presumed there was no delivery. However, this presumption can be contested and potentially overturned by the grantee.