In the excitement of selling a home, many people mix up the terms ”title” and “deed.” While common, it's important to know that these are two very different legal entities, and both are essential to a successful sale. If you are preparing to sell your house, use the following real estate attorney-approved guide to find out what you need to transfer. 

What Is the Title?

In real estate, a title is far different from the name of a published work. The individuals who possess the title own the home in the eyes of the legal system and may live in, modify, or sell the property as they wish. The title isn’t a piece of paper, but a concept. It incorporates five different rights: the right to possess, control, enjoy, sell, and restrict others from entering. 

When you sell your home, you’ll have to pass the title onto the new owners. However, before that can happen, the new owners and their real estate attorney will need to make sure that the title is, in fact, marketable and yours to give. This is done by performing a title search, which ensures you are the true owner of the property, and that no past owners owe money on the property.

What Is a Property Deed?

The deed is the piece of paper that carries the title, or the rights to the property. When the sale goes through, you’ll transfer the deed to the new owners, so they’ll have the document that authenticates their ownership.

On the deed, you’ll find a description of the home or building, your name(s), and the name(s) of the people or person buying the real estate. To become official, the deed must be signed by both the buyer and seller.

If you still have questions about the details of a title transfer, reach out to Stephenson & Stephenson, PA of Sanford, NC. These real estate attorneys have been helping area homeowners in Moore, Lee, Chatham, and Harnett counties, and they have over 31 years of experience to draw from. In addition to titles and deeds, they also work in estate planning and family law. To learn more about their skills, visit the website, or call (919) 774-6182 to schedule a consultation.