In Texas real estate transactions, what type of deed is typically expected to transfer ownership?

In Texas real estate transactions, a general warranty deed is the most commonly used instrument for transferring ownership of property. This form of deed provides the highest level of protection to the buyer or grantee, as it conveys the grantor's complete ownership rights and warrants that the title is free from any defects or claims, both during the time the grantor owned the property and extending back to when the property was first established.

The general warranty deed includes several covenants, such as the covenant of seisin, which assures the buyer that the seller has the right to transfer the property, and the covenant against encumbrances, which states that there are no undisclosed liens or claims against the property. Due to these comprehensive assurances, buyers feel more secure in their ownership of the property, which is why this type of deed is typically expected in Texas real estate transactions.

In contrast, other types of deeds, such as quitclaim deeds or special warranty deeds, do not provide the same level of guarantee regarding the title’s status and the owner’s rights. A quitclaim deed, for instance, offers no warranties whatsoever, merely transferring whatever interest the grantor has, which can create uncertainty for the grantee. This makes the general warranty deed the preferred choice