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When you buy or sell a home, a crucial piece of paper makes it official: the property deed. It’s more than a formality — it’s the legal document that transfers property ownership and defines who truly holds title to the property. Yet not all deeds are the same. Understanding the types of property deeds can protect you from future disputes, unclear ownership, or costly surprises when issues arise. This guide walks through the common types of deeds, when to use them, and how each impacts your rights in real estate transactions. What Is a Property Deed? A property deed is…

When it comes to transferring property ownership, not all deeds are created equal. Both a grant deed and a warranty deed are legal documents that transfer title from one party to another, but the level of protection they offer differs significantly. Understanding the difference is crucial in any real estate transaction — whether you’re buying a new home, gifting property to family members, or selling commercial land. What Is a Grant Deed? A grant deed is one of the most common types of property deeds used in the United States, especially in states like California. This legal document that transfers…

In real estate, paperwork defines ownership, rights, and responsibilities. Two documents that often confuse homeowners and buyers are the grant deed and the deed of trust. Both are legal documents tied to property transactions, but they serve entirely different purposes. One transfers ownership; the other secures a loan. Understanding how they work — and how they relate to other common types of deeds — can help prevent costly mistakes when buying, selling, or refinancing property. What Is a Grant Deed? A grant deed is a legal document that transfers ownership of real property from one person (the grantor) to another…

A subordinate lien is a legal claim on your property that ranks behind another lien in priority. If you’re refinancing, taking out a home equity line of credit, or dealing with multiple debts secured by your home, understanding lien position matters more than you think. I’ve watched too many homeowners hit roadblocks during refinancing because they didn’t realize their HELOC needed to be subordinated. Some discovered a second lien they forgot existed. Others got blindsided by IRS tax liens that complicated everything. This isn’t theoretical—it’s the difference between closing your loan on time or watching the deal fall apart. Here’s…

An allonge is a separate piece of paper attached to a negotiable instrument—typically a promissory note or mortgage note—when there’s insufficient space on the original document for additional endorsements (aka assignments to other parties if the note is transferred). For mortgage note holders, understanding an allonge is essential as they directly impact one’s ability to transfer, sell, or enforce said note. The term “allonge” comes from French, meaning “to lengthen,” which perfectly describes its function in the secondary mortgage market. Legal Requirements for Valid Allonges Not every piece of paper attached to a note qualifies as a valid allonge. Courts…