Title and transfer
Deed
The written instrument that transfers an interest in real property
A valid deed needs a competent grantor, an identifiable grantee, words of conveyance, an adequate legal description, consideration, and the grantor’s signature — followed by delivery and acceptance. Only the grantor signs, because only the grantor is giving something up.
How the exam asks about it
Recording is not required for a deed to be valid between the parties. It is required to give constructive notice to everyone else, and confusing the two is the single most common error in this area.
Related terms
Sitting the license exam? Find out what you actually know.
Free practice questions built to the published national content outline, with an explanation after every answer. No account, no paywall.
Independent exam preparation. Real Estate Exam Bank is not a state-approved pre-licensing course and completing anything here does not satisfy any state education requirement. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or authorized by any state real estate commission, Pearson VUE, or PSI. Practice questions here are original study material, not the official exam.