A deed can transfer ownership to part of an interest, and must be in writing. A New York deed can have a traditional "wet signature" or an "electronic signature" that complies with the state's electronic document law.A property deed is a legal document that transfers real estate ownership from a seller to a buyer. It's not the same thing as a title. A contract for deed, also known as a land contract, is an alternative method for financing the sale of a house or other real estate. You can search for, get copies of, or update property ownership records, such as deeds and mortgages. A deed is often referred to as a title. This paper helps transfer ownership of the property from one person to another. The title is the legal ownership of the property, while the deed is the document that transfers ownership from the seller to the buyer. In a real estate contract for deed, the buyer makes payments directly to the seller.