What does a special warranty deed protect against?

A special warranty deed guarantees that the grantor only warrants against defects in the title that arose during their period of ownership. This means that the grantor is not responsible for any title issues or defects that may have existed prior to their acquisition of the property. This type of deed offers protection specifically focused on the time frame in which the grantor had title, ensuring that the buyer is protected from issues that arose while the grantor owned the property.

Since a special warranty deed limits liability to the time the grantor held the title, it provides a narrower protection compared to other types of deeds, such as a general warranty deed, which covers defects from the entire chain of title, including those before the grantor's ownership. This context is crucial for buyers to understand the level of protection they are receiving when purchasing property.