A West Virginia special warranty deed is a document that conveys a real estate interest to a purchaser and warrants against encumbrances occurring while the seller owned the property. The deed is a legally binding document wherein the seller (or “grantor”) promises a clear title, except for issues made under other owners, and that they will resolve claims if they were made while they held interest in the premises.

The grantee can review a property’s history by searching the county clerk’s records for title encumbrances (e.g., unreleased liens, outstanding taxes, easements, etc.). This query is referred to as a “title search,” and can be useful in avoiding the costly expenses resulting from an encumbered title.