However, unlike a mortgage, a deed of trust appoints a thirdparty trustee to hold the property's title. In real estate transactions, a trust deed transfers the legal title of a property to a third party until the borrower repays their debt to the lender.A warranty deed guarantees that a seller owns the property free and clear of liens. The Deed of Trust is the primary security document used in Arizona. There are many similarities between the Deed of Trust and the Mortgage. Understand the distinctions between contract for deed and deed of trust in real estate. Explore the pros, cons, and unique aspects of each. Although the word "deed" is in the name, a deed of trust is not considered a conveyance. Instead, a deed of trust is merely considered a lien on real property. The short answer is no, trusts generally do not need to be recorded in Arizona.