When does legal title pass from seller to buyer?

Legal title to property passes from the seller to the buyer when the deed is delivered and accepted. This delivery and acceptance are crucial steps in the transfer process, as they signify the seller's intent to convey ownership and the buyer's acceptance of that ownership.

Signing the purchase agreement merely establishes the terms and conditions of the sale but does not transfer legal title; this document is essentially a contract between both parties. Payment in full may indicate the buyer's commitment to purchase, but without the formal transfer of the deed, legal title has not yet changed hands. Furthermore, while the closing process culminates in the transfer of ownership, legal title specifically passes only at the moment the deed is delivered and accepted, marking the transfer's official and legal completion.