A deed is a legal document that serves to transfer ownership of real property from one party, the grantor, to another, the grantee. This instrument is critical in real estate transactions as it provides a written record of the transfer of ownership, which is essential for establishing legal rights to the property. The deed outlines pertinent details such as the description of the property, the names of the parties involved, and the signatures of those transferring (grantor) and receiving (grantee) the property.
In contrast, a lease is a contract that allows one party to rent or use property owned by another for a specified period, without transferring ownership. A fixture refers to an item that is permanently attached to real property, becoming part of it, while title represents the actual legal ownership of property, but it does not itself function as a document for transferring ownership. Thus, a deed provides the necessary legal framework to effectuate the change of ownership from one individual to another.