What does legal title give a buyer in a real estate transaction?

Legal title in a real estate transaction conveys full ownership of the property to the buyer. This means that the buyer has the legal rights to the property, which includes not only possession but also the ability to transfer ownership, use the property as they see fit (within zoning and legal regulations), and make improvements. Possessing legal title signifies that the buyer is recognized as the owner in the eyes of the law, and they have control over the property. Ownership encompasses all associated rights, enabling the buyer to fully exercise their interests in the property without interference from previous owners or encumbrances, except as noted in public records.

The other choices touch on elements tied to property rights but do not encapsulate the complete essence of legal title. The right to possession refers only to the ability to occupy the property. The right to use the property denotes the buyer’s ability to utilize it but does not encompass ownership. The right to improvement signifies permission to make modifications, but again, this does not reflect the comprehensive ownership that legal title grants. Therefore, full ownership is the primary aspect conveyed by legal title.