Oregon 30-Hour Real Estate Law Practice Test

What legal document guarantees the transfer of ownership of real property?

1. A title opinion

2. A deed

3. A sales agreement

4. A lease

The correct answer is: A deed

The correct answer is a deed, which is a legal document that serves to transfer ownership of real property from one party to another. A deed includes essential information such as the names of the parties involved, a description of the property, and the signature of the grantor (the seller). Once executed and delivered, a deed formalizes the transfer of title and provides the new owner (the grantee) legal recognition of their ownership rights. In contrast, a title opinion is a statement provided by an attorney that assesses the legal status of the title to a property, but it does not itself convey ownership. A sales agreement is a contract outlining the terms and conditions under which real property will be sold, but it does not transfer ownership until a deed is executed. Lastly, a lease is an agreement that allows one party to use and occupy property owned by another, but it does not grant ownership of the property. Therefore, among these options, only a deed directly guarantees the transfer of ownership of real property.