What Is a Deed When Selling Your Home?

A deed is a legal document that grants ownership to a piece of real estate or other property asset. A deed transfers the title of an asset to a new owner. It is usually recorded in the local county clerk’s office.

Whether you sell your house the traditional way, attempt a For Sale by Owner, or do a cash home sale in Missouri, you need a signed deed to legally transfer your property to the buyer. The deed proves that the buyer is the legal owner of the house. In most real estate transactions, you sign the deed over to the buyer at closing. A title company, real estate agent, or lawyer may assist you with the transfer.

What Does a House Deed Include?

A Missouri house deed must include the following items:

Property Description

The deed describes the details of the property in a way that distinguishes it from similar or surrounding properties. The description must meet Missouri requirements. For instance, a surveyor should prepare a property description and meet the requirements of the county records. An address number or tax parcel number is not sufficient.

Signatures and Addresses

The grantor and the grantee must sign the deed. Both parties must also provide their current mailing addresses. If the addresses change, the party may want to update the change with the country records if applicable.

Notarization

Once the parties provide the property description, addresses, and signatures, an official notary must validate the document. The notary needs to be recognized or approved by the county clerk’s office or local agency.

Note: The information above must be in writing.

Is a House Deed, a Title, and a Mortgage the Same Thing?

No, they are not the same. What is the difference?

House Deed

The house deed establishes who holds the title to the property. It is a formal declaration of property ownership. The owner can be a regular house buyer, investor, bank, lender, company, or agency.

Mortgage

The mortgage is a contract or agreement between the lender or homeowner and the mortgage company or lender. The borrower agrees to pay the loan amount according to the mortgage contract terms and conditions. While the mortgage can stipulate the terms of ownership, it is not the actual deed.

Title

A house title represents all of the legal rights surrounding the ownership and use of a residential property. A house title isn’t a document; it’s a concept used to establish a property owner’s rights. That is the main difference between a title and a deed.

Does A Property Deed Prove Ownership?

A property deed is key in proving ownership of real property but does not necessarily prove ownership by itself . It shows that the seller transferred their interest in the property to a buyer. This is especially true for a general warranty deed which guarantees the new owner holds the title free and clear.

A quitclaim and grant deed also prove proof of ownership but only if there are no title issues. Without the guarantee of the warranty deed, even if a purchaser of property has a deed, someone else could have claim to the title.

Sell Your House Fast in Kansas City, Missouri

If you need to sell your house but don’t want the hassle of a traditional home sale, contact KC Real EState Buyers. We buy houses as-is in Kansas City, Missouri. Let us assess your property and make a fair cash offer. You can close the sale in as little as seven days. Call 816-895-2999 to get a fast cash offer for your house.