WARRANTY DEED
(General Warranty • Washington)
[// GUIDANCE: This template is drafted to satisfy Washington-specific statutory short-form requirements for a “statutory warranty deed,” together with expanded contractual protections requested in the metadata. Customize bracketed items, delete inapplicable options, and confirm county-level nuances before recording.]
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RECORDING COVER PAGE – DO NOT ALTER MARGINS
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Return Address:
[NAME]
[STREET]
[CITY, STATE ZIP]
Document Title: Warranty Deed (General)
Reference Nos.: [—]
Assessor’s Tax Parcel No.: _____
Grantor(s): _____
Grantee(s): ____
Legal Description: See Exhibit A attached hereto.
Abbreviated Legal: ___
Excise Tax: [ ] Paid • [ ] Exempt (see § 3.4)
Send Tax Statements To: ______
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
- DEFINITIONS
- CONVEYANCE & CONSIDERATION
- REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES & COVENANTS
- RISK ALLOCATION
- REMEDIES
- DISPUTE RESOLUTION
- GENERAL PROVISIONS
- EXECUTION & NOTARIZATION
Exhibit A Legal Description
Exhibit B Required Excise Tax Affidavit (placeholder)
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- DEFINITIONS
1.1 “Deed” means this Warranty Deed.
1.2 “Grantor” means [GRANTOR LEGAL NAME], a [STATE] [ENTITY TYPE] whose address is [ADDRESS].
1.3 “Grantee” means [GRANTEE LEGAL NAME], a [STATE] [ENTITY TYPE] whose address is [ADDRESS].
1.4 “Property” means the real property located in the County of [COUNTY], State of Washington, legally described on Exhibit A, together with all appurtenances, hereditaments, and after-acquired title.
1.5 “Consideration” means the sum of _ DOLLARS (US $____) and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are acknowledged.
1.6 “Recording Office” means the Auditor/Recorder of the County in which the Property is situated.
[// GUIDANCE: Add or delete definitions consistent with customary practice.]
- CONVEYANCE & CONSIDERATION
2.1 Grant. Grantor, for the Consideration, hereby conveys and warrants the Property to Grantee, in fee simple, with GENERAL WARRANTY covenants as set forth in Section 3.
2.2 Title Vesting. Title shall vest in Grantee as [tenancy format ↠ e.g., “a Washington limited liability company” / “husband and wife as community property.”]
2.3 Possession. Possession shall pass to Grantee upon the later of (a) recording of this Deed, or (b) [DATE/TIME], free of tenants or occupants except as disclosed in any schedule attached hereto.
- REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES & COVENANTS
3.1 Statutory Warranty Covenants. Using the operative words “conveys and warrants,” Grantor makes all covenants implied under Washington law for a statutory warranty deed, including that:
(a) Grantor is lawfully seized of an indefeasible estate in fee simple;
(b) Grantor has good right to convey the same;
(c) the Property is free from all encumbrances except Permitted Encumbrances (defined below);
(d) Grantee shall quietly enjoy the Property; and
(e) Grantor will defend the title against all lawful claims and demands whatsoever.
3.2 Expanded Covenants. Grantor further covenants that no labor, services, or materials have been furnished that could give rise to mechanics’ or materialmen’s liens not disclosed of record.
3.3 Permitted Encumbrances. “Permitted Encumbrances” means: (i) easements, covenants, conditions, and restrictions of record; (ii) zoning and other governmental regulations; and (iii) taxes and assessments not yet delinquent.
3.4 Real Estate Excise Tax (REET). Grantor and Grantee shall execute Washington State Department of Revenue Real Estate Excise Tax Affidavit (Form 84-0001A) concurrently with this Deed. Responsibility for payment of REET is allocated to [ ] Grantor • [ ] Grantee • [ ] Split as follows: ________.
[// GUIDANCE: Consult RCW 82.45 et seq. and county rates to calculate REET.]
- RISK ALLOCATION
4.1 Indemnification. Grantor shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Grantee from and against all claims, losses, damages, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising from breach of any covenant in Section 3, subject to the monetary cap in Section 4.2.
4.2 Liability Cap. Grantor’s aggregate liability under this Deed shall not exceed the Consideration actually paid, except in cases of Grantor’s willful misconduct or fraud.
4.3 Survival. The covenants, warranties, and indemnities set forth herein shall survive delivery and recording of this Deed and shall run with the land.
- REMEDIES
5.1 Primary Remedy. Grantee’s primary remedy for breach of warranty shall be an action for damages up to the cap in Section 4.2.
5.2 Equitable Relief. Nothing herein limits Grantee’s right to seek quiet-title or other injunctive relief to the extent necessary to enforce Grantor’s covenants.
5.3 Attorneys’ Fees. In any action or proceeding arising out of this Deed, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover its reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.
- DISPUTE RESOLUTION
6.1 Governing Law. This Deed shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Washington, without regard to conflict-of-laws principles.
6.2 Forum Selection. The Superior Court of the State of Washington for the county in which the Property is located shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute arising under this Deed.
6.3 Arbitration. Arbitration is expressly excluded.
6.4 Jury Trial Waiver. NO JURY TRIAL WAIVER is provided; any party may demand jury trial as permitted by law.
6.5 Injunctive Relief Preservation. The parties acknowledge that a breach of the covenants herein may cause irreparable harm; therefore, quiet-title or other equitable relief may be sought notwithstanding Section 5.1.
- GENERAL PROVISIONS
7.1 Entire Agreement. This Deed constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the conveyance of the Property and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous understandings.
7.2 Amendments; Waivers. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Deed shall be effective unless in writing and signed by the party against whom enforcement is sought.
7.3 Assignment. Grantee may assign this Deed without consent; provided that any assignment is recorded. Grantor may not assign its obligations without Grantee’s prior written consent.
7.4 Successors and Assigns. This Deed shall bind and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and assigns.
7.5 Severability. If any provision of this Deed is held invalid, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect, and the court shall reform the invalid provision to give effect to the parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted.
7.6 Counterparts; Electronic Signatures. This Deed may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together constitute one instrument. Signatures transmitted by electronic means shall be deemed original for all purposes.
- EXECUTION & NOTARIZATION
8.1 Signature Blocks.
GRANTOR:
[GRANTOR LEGAL NAME]
By: _____
Name: _____
Title: _____
Date: _________
GRANTEE:
[GRANTEE LEGAL NAME]
By: _____
Name: _____
Title: _____
Date: _________
8.2 Notarial Acknowledgment.
State of Washington )
) ss.
County of _____ )
I certify that I know or have satisfactory evidence that ____ (insert name) is the person who appeared before me, and said person acknowledged that (he/she/they) signed this instrument, on oath stated that (he/she/they) was authorized to execute the instrument and acknowledged it as the ____ (title) of ______ (entity) to be the free and voluntary act of such party for the uses and purposes mentioned in the instrument.
Dated: ____, 20__.
Notary Public in and for the State of Washington
Residing at: ____
My Commission Expires: ______
[// GUIDANCE: Use county-specific notary form if required; notary seal must be affixed per RCW 42.45.]
EXHIBIT A – LEGAL DESCRIPTION
[Insert full metes-and-bounds or plat description. Abbreviated legal also appears on cover page.]
EXHIBIT B – REAL ESTATE EXCISE TAX AFFIDAVIT
[Attach county-approved Washington State Excise Tax Affidavit (Form 84-0001A) completed and signed by both parties.]
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[// GUIDANCE: BEFORE RECORDING
1. Verify exact margin, font size, and font type requirements of RCW 65.04 and county recorder.
2. Confirm excise-tax rates and exemptions (e.g., intra-family, governmental, or zero-value transfers).
3. Insert parcel number exactly as it appears on the county assessor’s rolls.
4. Confirm corporate authority documents (resolutions, certificates of incumbency) are in place.
5. Prepare supplemental “Real Estate Excise Tax Affidavit” and “Supplemental Statement of Attorney” if applicable.
6. Pursuant to RCW 82.45, submit deed and affidavit simultaneously with payment to county treasurer/recorder. Obtain stamped receipt.
7. Retain conformed copy for your title file. ]