How to Make a Multi Property Deed

The grantor must sign the deed to make it legally enforceable.

A deed is a legal document transferring land from the owner (grantor) to another party (grantee). A deed must contain a specific description of the property that is being transferred. A deed that is properly signed and delivered by the grantor to the grantee gives the grantee title and possession of the property described in the deed. When an individual is purchasing several parcels of land from the same owner, it may be practical to draft a multiproperty deed.

Instructions

1. Retain a real estate attorney. Transferring interest in real property (land) is a complex matter because property can be held in different ways (tenancy in common, tenancy by entirety or joint tenancy with right of survivorship); a real estate attorney can determine how the property is held and what type of deed (quitclaim, warranty, reconveyance, sheriff's or gift deed) is best for your circumstances. Don't rely on the other party's attorney to properly represent your interests.

2. Get a legal description, together with the addresses of the properties to be transferred by deed. Ensure that your attorney has the correct description of the property. Descriptions can be obtained through a formal survey of each property after which the surveyor will give you a document with the legal description of the parcels; by copying the previous deeds for each property; or by citing the book and page number where each of the parcels have been recorded in the county where the land is located.

3. Have your attorney draft the deed, including the name of the grantor and a phrase to the effect that "[name of grantor] hereby grants to [grantee's name] the land and property described in the annexes to this deed...." The description of each of the properties should be attached to the deed as an annex.

4. Obtain the signature of the grantor. The party that is granting the land must sign the deed to make it legally enforceable. Have your attorney obtain the grantor's signature (your attorney should know whether a notarized signature is necessary in your state) and make sure to have several original signatures for the deed so you can record the original copies of the deed in the counties where the land is located. Retain one original for yourself.

5. Record the deed. While not always obligatory, recording the deed is the only way to let the public know that you have an interest in the property. Direct your attorney to send the deed to the proper governmental authority (usually the county clerk in the county where the properties are located) for recording in the public landownership records.

Tips & Warnings

• There may be restrictions in your state regarding when you can use a multiproperty deed. For example, some state may require the properties to adjoin each other. Ask your attorney if the laws in your state require the properties in a multiproperty deed to adjoin each other.

• To legally grant land to another, the grantor must own the land free of any liens (mortgages). If the land is subject to a lien, that lien must be satisfied prior to the execution of the deed. Your attorney can conduct a search of the properties to see if a bank or other lending institution has recorded a lien against the properties.

References

• SF Gate: Home Guide: How to Write a Property Deed
• New York Times: Your Home; Making a Deed Air Tight