The Difference Between a Quit Claim Deed and a Warranty Deed in Florida

April 08, 2025

If you're navigating a real estate transaction for the first time, it might be hard to keep track of all the legal terminology that's floating around. Even a seasoned buyer can feel out of their depth as they try to complete all the necessary requirements, which is why hiring a title and escrow company is such a key part of the process.

The distinction between a quit claim deed and a warranty deed is one of the most important things to learn about before a title transfer, but many people are unaware of this because of a few key similarities between the two. In this blog post, we will define each term separately before expanding on how they differ in the realm of real estate transactions.

Learning the Basics

First of all, let's talk about the purpose of a deed since this is a standard instrument in escrow transactions. A deed is a legal document that serves to validate the transfer of a real estate property from one party (the grantor) to another (the grantee). There are multiple types of deeds dedicated to specific tasks since a title transfer can be bound to many different circumstances (real estate purchase, heirloom, divorce settlements, mortgage claims, etc.)

Now, we can define these two types of deeds to understand why people often get them mixed up.

What Is a Quit Claim Deed

A quit claim deed is a legal document that allows the grantor to transfer property ownership interest to the grantee. As the name suggests, this is a fairly straightforward type of deed in which the grantor quits all claims they may have over the property.
Another aspect of this deed is that it provides no guarantees/warranties about the status of the property title, and this is where you can start seeing the downsides. Basically, the grantee has close to no protection if the title has issues like liens or competing claims.

What Is a Warranty Deed

In a warranty deed, the grantor also passes all ownership interests to the grantee but with a stronger layer of legal protection. Unlike the quit claim deed, this document guarantees that the title is clear and that there are no additional claims on the property, so the new owner doesn't have to worry about ownership disputes later down the line. If someone happens to claim any rights over the property, this deed can be used during the legal process.

Differences Between a Quit Claim Deed and a Warranty Deed

We probably don't have to tell you the main difference that sets these two deeds apart. Warranty deeds ensure that you're not saddled with a faulty title by guaranteeing that the granter has full legal rights to make the transfer. Still, both deeds are similar on a surface level, granting ownership interests to the grantee while the granter abandons all claims on the property. From this perspective, it's understandable that some people get confused if they're new to the process.
A quit claim deed can be appealing to some people because it sidesteps the process of a title search, so the transfer can be done faster. This obviously carries a major risk, since quick claim deeds can't be reversed after finding an issue on the title. It's often reserved for the following scenarios:

• Informal or non-commercial transactions, mostly cases where there's a level of trust between both parties.


• Family transfers to pass the title to a family member. It can also be used during a divorce settlement to transfer the interest of the family home to one of the spouses.


• To correct minor title errors like typos or inaccurate descriptions.

Meanwhile, a warranty deed is the most common choice for traditional real estate transactions: a formal process involving a seller and a buyer who share no previous relations. This is the best choice for you if you're planning to buy a new home from a listing, or if your purchase pertains to a business project.

A warranty deed will provide the peace of mind of knowing you're working with a clear title so you can make your investment without second thoughts.

Don't Hesitate To Seek Specialized Assistance

Both quit claim deeds and warranty deeds follow state-specific guidelines, so getting the assistance of a real estate lawyer is a good starting point. This way, you can make sure that the document is crafted properly, with the approval of both parties.

If you're planning a title transfer and want the support of an escrow professional, you can count on Key Title & Escrow. We'll be happy to tailor our services to your case.

The specialists at Key Title & Escrow are ready to assist you so you can always make an informed decision. We can help you navigate the most stressful part of the process and examine all the documents before the closing. Just call (305) 235-4571 or toll-free at (800) 547-0006 to learn more about our services. If you want, you can also get in touch with us via the contact form on this page. You can count on our expertise, and we'll make sure nothing gets in the way of a successful closing!