Even though you have both a title and a deed when you own both the property and the home that’s on it, they are actually two different things. Knowing the difference between a title and deed is instrumental in making savvy property purchases and knowing your options when you want to remodel your home, expand your property, sell your land, or do anything else that requires your ownership and documentation.
Title vs Deed Key Differences
Nature
Title: Represents the legal concept of ownership rights.
Deed: A physical document that transfers those ownership rights.
Function
Title: Confirms ownership and includes the property’s history and encumbrances.
Deed: Acts as the vehicle for transferring ownership from one party to another.
Documentation
Title: There is no physical document called a “title.” Ownership is evidenced through recorded deeds and title insurance.
Deed: A physical, legal document that must be signed, sometimes notarized, and recorded.
What Is a Title?
Title is the legal concept of ownership of property. It represents the rights to use, control, and transfer the property. Holding the title means you own the rights to use the property, even if you only have a partial interest in it.
With a title, you can make changes to the landscape, access everything that’s on the property, and otherwise make management decisions about how the land is used and who can take advantage of it.
The titleholder can transfer a home title or land title to someone else, either partially or in full. This happens when people collaborate in a joint business venture and want to share the use of a property or when an owner wants to turn their property into an inheritance in order to transfer the title to an inheritor.
You can only transfer the aspects that you own, however, in the amount that you own them. Someone with a partial title on a piece of land cannot transfer the whole property to a receiver. It may sound logical that you couldn’t do this, but you may be surprised how often people try it.
What Is a Deed?
A deed is a legal document that transfers ownership of real property from one party to another. It can be full (as in an inheritance) or partial (as in a new business venture).
Deeds are official documents that must follow the Statute of Frauds and be recorded at an assessor’s office or courthouse. Without this authorization, they are not binding documents in most states.
Another term also comes up in legal disputes over house titles and property deeds all the time in issues of deeds. It’s what’s called an “imperfect deed.”
An imperfect deed is a deed that was authorized correctly but not filed right (or at all). A deed’s imperfection does not change the legality of the title itself: those who received the property transfer are still the new owners (so long as the authorization was legal). All an imperfect deed affects is the deed itself and the paperwork’s representation of the transaction.
The titles are not affected, so the property transfer can still be performed. However, if there’s a legal dispute down the road, an imperfect deed can raise the transactions into question and prove inconvenient for a later settlement.
What Is an Abstract of Title?
An abstract of title is a document that summarizes who has owned your property in the past, a list that now includes you. This document is essentially a summary of all past changes in ownership and also includes details on encumbrances on the property, such as mortgages. Nonetheless, it's still not something you are likely to psychically “get”, even though it will likely be used by the title insurance company.
Is an Abstract of Title the Same as a Deed
No, an abstract and a deed are not the same. Although they are similar, they serve different purposes in real estate transactions and convey different types of information. The abstract provides a comprehensive history of the property, helping to ensure there are no title issues, while the deed is the instrument that legally transfers ownership from one party to another.
Types of Deeds
- Quitclaim Deeds
- Warranty Deeds
Though a title is a legal right and refers to ownership, as a document, deeds come in several varieties.
Some are blanket transfers without many amendments, and some contain many stipulations as to the recipient and use of the transferred title. Quitclaim deeds are used for more straightforward transfers between people who know each other, such as family members who are all on good terms.
1. Quitclaim Deeds
A quitclaim deed is a type of deed that is generally used when a property is transferred between parties that know each other, like family members. Quitclaim deeds are not the most airtight documents and don't provide any guarantees that the grantor owns the property outright. You wouldn't want a quitclaim deed if you're purchasing a home from an unknown party. However, since the parties involved know each other, a quitclaim deed, which can be used to make the transfer quickly and easily, is a viable option.
2. Warranty Deeds
Warranty deeds are pretty much what they sound like. The owner of the property title sells the deed to a buyer with the warranty deed written up as the buyer’s assurance that the seller holds the title, free and clear. If there are any discrepancies in the property's ownership the seller warrants to do whatever is necessary to make good on the buyer's title to the property. Warranty deeds provide buyers with the most protection. Regardless, to protect against any potential claims, title insurance is used in most transactions involving warranty deeds.
There are other types of deeds drawn up for situations that arise in each particular deal. Knowing the main differences between them can help you navigate your options when you’re trying to buy or sell a property.
When Do I Get the Title to My House?
If you’re the new owner of a house, you may be wondering when you get your title. This is likely because you’re still confusing the differences between title versus a deed since the deed is the written document that you need to “get” when you become the owner of a property.
The title is simply something that you “have” already; it is your right to control, own, and use the property in question however you want, so long as it’s legal. This includes everything from playing ball in your yard to telling people to get out of your house. What you will get, however, is the property deed.
Does a Deed Mean You Own the House?
While you get a deed when you purchase your home, it doesn't mean you own the property outright. For example, you'll still receive a deed to your house if you're financing the property with a mortgage.
Difference Between Deed and a Title Bottom Line
Understanding the distinction between title and deed is essential in real estate transactions to ensure proper ownership transfer and protect against potential legal issues. Deeds are documents of transfer that dictate the new property owners and give the house titles to new recipients. Titles are merely legal statuses.
By learning the difference, you know what you’re “getting” when you buy or inherit a house. In the case of a partial transfer, you will know what rights the other parties have and what restrictions are in place on your use of the property.
To avoid legal trouble later, learn the difference between a title and a deed so you know what you can and cannot do on your own land.