A deed is a signed, legal document that transfers ownership (title) of real property from one party (the grantor) to another (the grantee). Once recorded with the local county or land registry, it becomes part of the public chain of title — the historical record of everyone who has ever owned that piece of property.
An unrecorded deed can still be valid between buyer and seller, but recording protects the new owner against competing claims and puts the world on notice of the transfer.
Title searches trace this chain back through decades of deeds to confirm there are no gaps, forgeries or unresolved liens before a sale closes.
The strongest protection for a buyer — the seller guarantees clear title against all claims, past and present.
The seller only guarantees against claims arising during their own ownership, not before.
Transfers whatever interest the grantor has, with no guarantee of clear title — common between family members or to clear a title defect.
A middle ground used in several states, implying the property has not been sold to anyone else and is free of undisclosed encumbrances.