What does a warranty deed guarantee to the grantee?

A warranty deed serves as a crucial legal instrument in real estate transactions, providing significant assurances to the grantee, or recipient, of the property. The primary function of a warranty deed is to guarantee that the title to the property is clear of any encumbrances or claims that could challenge the grantee’s ownership. This means that the seller confirms they hold full ownership rights and are transferring that complete and unencumbered title to the grantee.

Furthermore, the warranty deed normally includes provisions that protect the grantee from potential future claims against the title. If any issues arise—such as previous liens or claims that were not disclosed at the time of sale—the grantor (seller) is typically held responsible for resolving these issues, thus offering an additional layer of security for the grantee. This broad protection is what differentiates a warranty deed from other types, like a quitclaim deed, where such guarantees are not provided.

In contrast, the other choices do not capture the full scope of protection and assurance offered by a warranty deed. Simply asserting ownership (as in one of the options) or presenting conditional rights implies limitations that are not aligned with the commitments made under warranty deeds.