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National curriculum lesson 106 · Transfer of Title

Deed Types and Requirements for Effective Transfer

A deed is the written instrument that transfers a real-property interest. A valid deed identifies competent grantor and grantee, contains operative granting language and an adequate legal description, states consideration as required, is properly executed, and is delivered and accepted with present intent. Recording protects notice and priority but is not the same event as delivery between the parties.

Facts checked against the current PSI Candidate Information Bulletin and GREC sources. Last reviewed August 2, 2026. Editorial standards.

What is the exam-ready answer?

A deed is the written instrument that transfers a real-property interest. A valid deed identifies competent grantor and grantee, contains operative granting language and an adequate legal description, states consideration as required, is properly executed, and is delivered and accepted with present intent. Recording protects notice and priority but is not the same event as delivery between the parties.
Official syllabus mapping for Deed Types and Requirements for Effective Transfer
Roadmap lesson106 of 500
Official syllabus topicDeed Types and Requirements for Effective Transfer
Official PSI areaTransfer of Title
Published area weight6% of the 100-question national portion
Exam portionNational salesperson portion
Source editionPSI Georgia Candidate Information Bulletin dated July 1, 2026
Last verifiedAugust 2, 2026

The Rule

PSI publishes the weight for the complete content area, not a fixed question count for this lesson. Learn the rule well enough to apply it when PSI changes names, numbers, or parties in a new scenario.

Complete lesson

Read each concept as part of one decision system. The exam often gives one accurate statement and three statements that belong to a nearby concept.

Parties and intent

The grantor must have capacity and the interest conveyed. The grantee must be identifiable, and delivery must show present intent for the deed to operate rather than a future wish.

Description and execution

The instrument must sufficiently identify the land and be signed and witnessed or acknowledged as required by the recording jurisdiction.

Warranty deeds

A general warranty deed gives broad title covenants extending through the chain. A special or limited warranty ordinarily limits covenants to the grantor's period of ownership.

Bargain-sale and quitclaim

A bargain-and-sale deed may imply ownership but provide limited warranties depending on jurisdiction. A quitclaim deed conveys whatever interest the grantor has, if any, without promising title quality.

Decision rule

Separate deed validity, delivery, warranty scope, and record priority into four distinct questions.

Georgia-specific distinction

Georgia commonly uses warranty deeds, limited warranty deeds, and quitclaim deeds, with execution and recording requirements governed by Georgia law. Georgia closings commonly involve attorneys; a licensee should not select or draft a deed as legal advice.

Worked example

Scenario. A grantor signs a deed and stores it in a desk, intending to decide next year whether to transfer it.

Reason it through. Signature alone does not establish present delivery and acceptance. The grantor retained control and future intent.

Answer. No effective transfer has occurred on these facts.

Common exam traps

  • Treating recording as the only delivery
  • Assuming quitclaim guarantees ownership
  • Confusing title warranties with home warranties
  • Using a street address as the only description

Original practice questions with detailed explanations

These questions were written for instruction and mapped to the current outline. They are not copied from PSI or any live examination. Choose an answer before opening the explanation.

Question 1

Which deed conveys only the grantor's interest, if any, without title covenants?

  1. A. Quitclaim deed
  2. B. General warranty deed
  3. C. Trustee deed always
  4. D. Lease
Show answer and explanation →

Answer: A. Quitclaim deed

A quitclaim makes no promise that the grantor has title or that title is free of defects.

Question 2

What is essential to make a signed deed presently operative?

  1. A. Delivery and acceptance with present intent
  2. B. A listing
  3. C. An appraisal
  4. D. Mortgage insurance
Show answer and explanation →

Answer: A. Delivery and acceptance with present intent

Delivery and acceptance complete the conveyance between the parties, subject to governing law.

Question 3

Which deed usually gives the broadest title covenants?

  1. A. General warranty deed
  2. B. Quitclaim deed
  3. C. Bill of sale
  4. D. Option
Show answer and explanation →

Answer: A. General warranty deed

General warranty covenants generally extend beyond the grantor's ownership period.

Mastery tracking

Mark this lesson mastered only when every statement is true.

  • State the direct answer and decision rule without notes.
  • Explain every core concept in plain English.
  • Solve the worked example after changing one important fact.
  • Identify the Georgia distinction before reading answer choices.
  • Answer all three questions correctly and reject every distractor.
  • Repeat the topic in mixed practice on a later day.

Recommended next lesson

Continue with Title Searches, Title Insurance, and Title Problems. Continue to roadmap lesson 107 and build on this decision rule.

Return to the Transfer of Title hub to see every official branch and the complete lesson sequence for this content area.

Deed Types and Requirements for Effective Transfer questions

Facts checked against the current PSI Candidate Information Bulletin and GREC sources. Last reviewed August 2, 2026. Editorial standards.

Is Deed Types and Requirements for Effective Transfer on the Georgia real estate exam?

Yes. It belongs to PSI's Transfer of Title content area, which is 6% of the 100-question national portion. PSI publishes content-area weights, not a guaranteed question count for this individual lesson.

What is the main rule for Deed Types and Requirements for Effective Transfer?

Separate deed validity, delivery, warranty scope, and record priority into four distinct questions.

What Georgia-specific distinction should I remember?

Georgia commonly uses warranty deeds, limited warranty deeds, and quitclaim deeds, with execution and recording requirements governed by Georgia law. Georgia closings commonly involve attorneys; a licensee should not select or draft a deed as legal advice.

How do I know I have mastered this lesson?

Explain the rule without notes, solve the worked example again with changed facts, answer all original questions correctly, explain every distractor, and repeat mixed practice on a later day.