What is one main characteristic of a general warranty deed?

A general warranty deed is recognized for offering the maximum protection to the buyer regarding the title of the property. This form of deed includes a comprehensive set of covenants or guarantees that assure the buyer of the property's title. Essentially, the grantor (the seller) guarantees that they hold clear title to the property and also commits to defend that title against any claims that may arise in the future. This means that if any issues with the title occur—such as disputes over ownership or claims by creditors—the grantor is responsible for resolving these issues.

This level of protection extends not only to the period during which the grantor owned the property but also covers the entire history of the title, providing assurance to the buyer that they will not face legal challenges related to previous ownership. Such strong legal protections are one of the main advantages of using a general warranty deed compared to other types of deeds, such as special warranty deeds or quitclaim deeds, which provide lesser levels of security.