What is a deed?

A deed is the legal document that formally transfers ownership — or title — of a property from the seller to the buyer. It identifies the parties involved, describes the property being conveyed (usually with a legal description referencing survey boundaries), and must be signed by the grantor (seller) and delivered to the grantee (buyer). In New York, the deed is recorded with the county clerk's office after closing, making the transfer part of the public record.

In the Western Catskills, deeds for rural properties often contain important historical language that buyers should review carefully with their attorney. Older deeds in Delaware, Otsego, Greene, and Ulster counties may reference rights-of-way, timber rights, mineral rights, water rights, or easements granted to neighboring properties — sometimes going back generations. These encumbrances, if any, will pass with the property to the new owner. A thorough title search conducted before closing will uncover recorded interests affecting the deed, but buyers should ask questions if anything in the deed's history is unclear.