In property law, what does the term 'grantor' refer to?

In property law, the term 'grantor' specifically refers to the seller of a property, who is the party that conveys the title or ownership of the property to another party. This is a fundamental aspect of real estate transactions, as the grantor is responsible for transferring their rights in the property to the buyer, also known as the grantee.

In most property transactions, the grantor prepares a legal document, such as a deed, that outlines the terms of the transfer, including the property description and any relevant conditions. This distinguishes the grantor from other parties involved in the transaction. The buyer, who is the grantee, receives the title to the property from the grantor.

The other choices reflect roles that are distinct from that of the grantor. The buyer is receiving the property and thus cannot be the grantor, while the lender in a mortgage transaction does not transfer property ownership but rather provides financing for its purchase. The realtor is a facilitator of the transaction and does not assume ownership rights in the property being sold. Understanding the role of the grantor is crucial in recognizing the flow of rights and ownership in real estate transactions.