A warranty deed is a legal document that transfers ownership of a property from one party to another. In the District of Columbia, there is a specific type of warranty deed known as the "District of Columbia Warranty Deed for Surface with Limited Warranty." This warranty deed provides a certain level of protection to the buyer by guaranteeing that the seller holds the title to the property and has the right to sell it. The District of Columbia Warranty Deed for Surface with Limited Warranty ensures that the seller will defend the title against any claims that may arise during the period of ownership by the buyer. However, unlike a general warranty deed, this limited warranty deed does not offer as extensive protections. The limited warranty in this type of deed means that the seller only warrants against any defects in the title that may have been created during their ownership of the property. The warranty does not extend to any defects that may have existed prior to the seller's ownership or any encumbrances on the property. It is crucial to understand that there may be additional types or variations of District of Columbia Warranty Deeds for Surface with Limited Warranty depending on specific circumstances. These may include: 1. District of Columbia Warranty Deed for Surface with Limited Warranty — New Construction: This type of warranty deed applies to newly constructed properties, ensuring that the title is clean and the seller has legal rights to sell the property. 2. District of Columbia Warranty Deed for Surface with Limited Warranty — Vacant Land: This variation of the limited warranty deed is used when transferring ownership of undeveloped land. It provides assurances regarding any defects in the title, but not for any conditions or issues related to the land itself. 3. District of Columbia Warranty Deed for Surface with Limited Warranty — Commercial Property: This specific type of limited warranty deed is utilized for the transfer of ownership of commercial real estate. It offers protections for the buyer against any title defects introduced by the seller, within the limits defined by the limited warranty. Overall, the District of Columbia Warranty Deed for Surface with Limited Warranty is an essential legal document in real estate transactions. It provides a certain level of assurance to buyers regarding the validity of the seller's title, although the protections are not as comprehensive as those offered by a general warranty deed.