A General Warranty Deed is a type of deed used to convey an interest in real estate by a seller who guarantees that the title conveyed is good and its transfer rightful. The guarantee made in the deed is not limited to the time the grantor owned the property, but will extends back to the property’s origins.
The Warranty Deed will also state that title hasn’t already been transferred to someone else or been encumbered (unless specifically stated). Some Warranty Deeds include a promise by the Grantor / Seller that he or she will defend the person getting the property from any and all claims of others. A General Warranty Deed is used in most real estate deed transfers and offers the greatest protection of any deed.
California uses a Grant Deed which is somewhat similar to a Warranty Deed.