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Practical, plain-English articles about deed transfers, state-specific requirements, and the situations that come up most often. No legalese, no walls of fine print.
Practical, plain-English articles about deed transfers, state-specific requirements, and the situations that come up most often. No legalese, no walls of fine print.
Deep dives on the most common questions.
Plain-English comparison of the three most common deeds in US real estate. When to use each, what protections they offer the buyer, and when you should call an attorney instead.
How to do a Alabama quitclaim deed correctly: 1 subscribing witness required, $0.50 per $500 of consideration, recording with the Probate Judge, common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a Alaska quitclaim deed correctly: none required, None (Alaska has no real estate transfer tax), recording with the Recorder of Deeds (District Recorder), common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a Arizona quitclaim deed correctly: none required, None (no state transfer tax; counties may have minor fees), recording with the County Recorder, common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a Arkansas quitclaim deed correctly: none required, $3.30 per $1,000 of consideration, recording with the Circuit Clerk / Recorder, common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a California quitclaim deed correctly: none required, $1.10 per $1,000 of consideration ($0.55 in some counties); plus county/city transfer taxes, recording with the County Recorder, common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a Colorado quitclaim deed correctly: none required, $0.01 per $100 of consideration (Documentary Fee), recording with the County Clerk and Recorder, common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a Connecticut quitclaim deed correctly: 2 subscribing witnesses required, Conveyance tax: 0.75%-2.25% of consideration depending on bracket; municipal conveyance tax also applies, recording with the Town Clerk (Connecticut records at municipal, not county, level), common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a Delaware quitclaim deed correctly: none required, Realty Transfer Tax: 4% of consideration (split 2.5% state / 1.5% county or municipality), recording with the County Recorder of Deeds, common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a District of Columbia quitclaim deed correctly: none required, Recordation Tax: 1.1% (first $400k) / 1.45% (above) of consideration, recording with the Recorder of Deeds, common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a Florida quitclaim deed correctly: 2 subscribing witnesses required (two subscribing witnesses required per fla. stat. § 689.01, in addition to the notary.), $0.70 per $100 of consideration ($0.60 in Miami-Dade for single-family); $0.70 minimum even for "love and affection" transfers, recording with the Clerk of the Circuit Court, common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a Georgia quitclaim deed correctly: 2 subscribing witnesses required (two witnesses required; one may be the notary if georgia state law permits.), $1 per $1,000 of consideration, recording with the Superior Court Clerk, common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a Hawaii quitclaim deed correctly: none required, Conveyance tax: $0.10 per $100 (under $600k); progressive brackets up to $1.00 per $100, recording with the Bureau of Conveyances OR Land Court (depending on title system), common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a Idaho quitclaim deed correctly: none required, None, recording with the County Recorder, common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a Illinois quitclaim deed correctly: none required, State: $0.50 per $500; County: $0.25 per $500; Chicago and some municipalities add their own, recording with the County Recorder of Deeds, common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a Indiana quitclaim deed correctly: none required, None (auditor endorsement required; minor fee), recording with the County Recorder, common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a Iowa quitclaim deed correctly: none required, $0.80 per $500 of consideration over $500, recording with the County Recorder, common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a Kansas quitclaim deed correctly: none required, None (mortgage registration tax only), recording with the County Register of Deeds, common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a Kentucky quitclaim deed correctly: none required, $0.50 per $500 of consideration, recording with the County Clerk, common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a Louisiana quitclaim deed correctly: 2 subscribing witnesses required (louisiana follows civil law (napoleonic code), not common law. real estate transfers use "acts of sale" or "acts of donation" rather than common-law deeds.), None (varies by parish), recording with the Parish Clerk of Court (Louisiana uses parishes, not counties), common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a Maine quitclaim deed correctly: none required, Real Estate Transfer Tax: $2.20 per $500 of consideration (split state/municipality), recording with the County Registry of Deeds, common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a Maryland quitclaim deed correctly: none required, State recordation tax + county transfer tax (combined typically 1.5%-2% depending on county), recording with the Circuit Court Clerk (Land Records), common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a Massachusetts quitclaim deed correctly: none required, Deed Stamps Tax: $4.56 per $1,000 of consideration (Barnstable and Nantucket vary), recording with the Registry of Deeds, common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a Michigan quitclaim deed correctly: 2 subscribing witnesses required (two witnesses required for deeds in michigan.), State Real Estate Transfer Tax: $3.75 per $500; County tax: $0.55 per $500, recording with the County Register of Deeds, common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a Minnesota quitclaim deed correctly: none required, Deed Tax: $1.65 per $500 of consideration (Hennepin and Ramsey add $5 ERF Fund Fee), recording with the County Recorder OR Registrar of Titles (depending on title type), common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a Mississippi quitclaim deed correctly: none required, None (no state-level transfer tax), recording with the Chancery Clerk, common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a Missouri quitclaim deed correctly: none required, None, recording with the County Recorder of Deeds, common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a Montana quitclaim deed correctly: none required, None, recording with the County Clerk and Recorder, common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a Nebraska quitclaim deed correctly: none required, Documentary Stamp Tax: $2.25 per $1,000 of consideration, recording with the County Register of Deeds, common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a Nevada quitclaim deed correctly: none required, Real Property Transfer Tax: $1.95-$3.25 per $500 depending on county, recording with the County Recorder, common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a New Hampshire quitclaim deed correctly: none required, Real Estate Transfer Tax: $7.50 per $1,000 of consideration (split between buyer and seller), recording with the County Registry of Deeds, common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a New Jersey quitclaim deed correctly: none required, Realty Transfer Fee: progressive brackets, roughly $4-$10 per $1,000, recording with the County Clerk OR Register of Deeds (depends on county), common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a New Mexico quitclaim deed correctly: none required, None, recording with the County Clerk, common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a New York quitclaim deed correctly: none required, Real Estate Transfer Tax: $2 per $500; NYC adds Real Property Transfer Tax (1%-2.625%), recording with the County Clerk (NYC: City Register), common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a North Carolina quitclaim deed correctly: none required, Excise Tax: $1 per $500 of consideration, recording with the County Register of Deeds, common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a North Dakota quitclaim deed correctly: none required, None, recording with the County Recorder, common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a Ohio quitclaim deed correctly: none required, Real Property Conveyance Fee: $1 per $1,000 + permissive county tax (up to $3 per $1,000), recording with the County Recorder, common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a Oklahoma quitclaim deed correctly: none required, Documentary Stamp Tax: $0.75 per $500 of consideration, recording with the County Clerk, common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a Oregon quitclaim deed correctly: none required, Most counties: minor transfer tax (~$1 per $1,000); Washington County has a 0.1% county tax, recording with the County Clerk, common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a Pennsylvania quitclaim deed correctly: none required, State: 1% Realty Transfer Tax; many localities add 1%-3% additional, recording with the County Recorder of Deeds, common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a Rhode Island quitclaim deed correctly: none required, Real Estate Conveyance Tax: $2.30 per $500 of consideration, recording with the Town/City Clerk (RI records at municipal level), common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a South Carolina quitclaim deed correctly: 2 subscribing witnesses required (two witnesses required; one may also serve as notary.), Deed Recording Fee: $1.85 per $500 of consideration ($1.30 state + $0.55 county), recording with the Register of Deeds (Mesne Conveyances), common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a South Dakota quitclaim deed correctly: none required, Real Estate Transfer Fee: $0.50 per $500 of consideration, recording with the County Register of Deeds, common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a Tennessee quitclaim deed correctly: none required, Realty Transfer Tax: $0.37 per $100 of consideration, recording with the County Register of Deeds, common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a Texas quitclaim deed correctly: none required, None (Texas has no state real estate transfer tax), recording with the County Clerk, common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a Utah quitclaim deed correctly: none required, None, recording with the County Recorder, common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a Vermont quitclaim deed correctly: 1 subscribing witness required, Property Transfer Tax: 1.25% (over $100k principal residence) to 2.6% (non-residential), recording with the Town Clerk (Vermont records at municipal level), common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a Virginia quitclaim deed correctly: none required, State recordation tax: $0.25 per $100; Grantor tax: $0.50 per $500; locality may add, recording with the Circuit Court Clerk, common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a Washington quitclaim deed correctly: none required, Real Estate Excise Tax (REET): progressive 1.1%-3% on sale; quitclaim gifts may qualify for exemption, recording with the County Auditor (or Recorder), common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a West Virginia quitclaim deed correctly: none required, Excise Tax: $1.10 per $500 of consideration; counties may add up to $0.55 additional, recording with the County Clerk, common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a Wisconsin quitclaim deed correctly: none required, Real Estate Transfer Fee: $3 per $1,000 of value, recording with the County Register of Deeds, common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
How to do a Wyoming quitclaim deed correctly: none required, None, recording with the County Clerk, common mistakes, and a free interactive PDF generator.
The essential clauses every private real estate sale contract needs — when there's no agent and no title company writing it for you. Earnest money, contingencies, closing terms, and the gotchas.
Selling or buying real estate within the family looks simple but has real pitfalls: gift tax, due-on-sale clauses, capital gains, property tax reassessment, and Medicaid look-back. Here's what to think about before signing.
"As-is" doesn't mean "no inspection" and doesn't protect a seller from disclosing known defects. Plain-English guide to as-is sales in private and FSBO transactions.
Earnest money isn't a down payment. It's a "good faith" deposit that goes toward the purchase at closing OR gets forfeited or returned depending on why a deal falls apart. Here's how it works in plain English.
In about 30 states you can name a beneficiary on your home the same way you name a beneficiary on a bank account. Plain-English guide to TODDs, how they work, where they're available, and when to use one.
A Bill of Sale documents the transfer of personal property — vehicles, boats, equipment, livestock, art — between a private seller and buyer. Free interactive generator below.
A Promissory Note is a written promise to repay a loan. Used between private parties when no bank is involved — family loans, friend loans, partner loans, seller-financed sales. Free interactive generator below.
A Letter of Intent (LOI) lays out the proposed terms of a real estate purchase before signing a binding contract. Used in private and FSBO sales to nail down the deal points first. Free interactive generator.
A Notice of Earnest Money Deposit documents that earnest money has been deposited with a neutral escrow holder and lays out the release conditions. Free interactive generator.
Per-state requirements: witnesses, notarization, doc tax, recording fees, and the gotchas.
Whether your state recognizes TODDs, Lady Bird deed alternatives where applicable, and what to do otherwise.