California Real Estate Practice Exam

Which document is used to convey real property from a seller to a buyer?

1. Deed

2. Lease

3. Mortgage

4. Trust

The correct answer is: Deed

The deed is the correct document used to convey real property from a seller to a buyer. A deed is a legal instrument that transfers title or ownership of real estate from one party to another. It includes essential details such as the names of the parties involved, a description of the property, and the signature of the grantor (the seller). In real estate transactions, the deed serves as evidence of the transfer of ownership and is typically recorded in the public records to protect the rights of the new owner against claims by third parties. The other options—lease, mortgage, and trust—play different roles in real estate. A lease is a contract granting temporary possession and use of the property, a mortgage is a loan secured by the property itself, and a trust generally involves the management or holding of property on behalf of beneficiaries but does not itself convey property. Therefore, the deed is the specific document necessary to legally transfer property ownership.