In the context of property transfer, what does the term "grantor" refer to?

In real estate transactions, the term "grantor" specifically refers to the party who gives title to the property. This individual or entity is responsible for transferring ownership rights to another party, known as the grantee, through a legal document typically called a deed. The grantor must have the legal authority to convey the property and is usually the current owner who wishes to sell or otherwise transfer their interest in the property.

It's important to understand that while the grantee is the recipient of the title (the party receiving ownership), the grantor is the one who initiates the transfer by voluntarily giving away their title. The document that conveys ownership is the deed itself, and this does not define the parties involved, whereas the legal description of the property is a detailed description of the land being transferred but is separate from the roles of the parties in the transaction. Thus, the role of the grantor is crucial in understanding the dynamics of property sales and transfers.