Ace the Minnesota Real Estate Exam 2026 – Unleash Your Property Powerhouse!

The legal document that transfers ownership of real estate is a deed. A deed is a formal instrument that conveys property and is executed by the grantor (the person selling or transferring the property) to the grantee (the person receiving the property). In a deed, specific details about the property, the parties involved, and the intent to transfer ownership are clearly outlined.

The deed must typically be signed, and depending on jurisdiction, it may also need to be notarized and recorded to be effective against third parties. This recording provides public notice of ownership and protects the rights of the new owner.

While agreements and contracts are important in the context of real estate transactions, they primarily outline the terms and conditions of the sale rather than effecting the transfer of ownership. The title, on the other hand, refers to the legal right to own or use a property and is represented by the deed. Thus, while the title represents ownership, the actual transfer occurs through the deed.