What is a deed?

• A. A contract for sale of real property.
• B. A mortgage instrument.
• C. A lease agreement.
• D. A written instrument by which title to real property is formally transferred from one party to another.

Answer: (D)

A deed is the written instrument by which title to real property is formally transferred from one party to another. This is why it’s the best answer: ownership of the property—the title—is conveyed through the deed, not merely through an agreement or an encumbrance. A contract for sale is just an agreement to transfer ownership in the future and does not by itself move title. A mortgage instrument creates a lien or security interest on the property to secure a loan, not ownership. A lease grants possession and use for a term but does not transfer title to the property. For the transfer to be effective, the deed is typically executed, delivered, and, in many jurisdictions, recorded, with different deed types (like warranty or quitclaim) indicating varying levels of protection, but the core function remains the transfer of title.