Escrow & TitleIntermediateDelaware Exam

What is 'equitable title' versus 'legal title' in a Delaware real estate transaction?

ABoth terms refer to the same ownership interest in Delaware
BEquitable title is the beneficial ownership interest a buyer receives when the purchase contract is signed — giving them the right to obtain full legal title at closing; legal title is the actual record ownership conveyed by the deedCorrect
CEquitable title is always held by the lender alone; legal title is always held by the buyer alone in every transaction, though the underlying details naturally shift somewhat depending on the county, the property type, and the specific facts of the transaction at hand
DLegal title is temporary; equitable title is permanent

Why Equitable title is the beneficial ownership interest a buyer receives when the purchase contract is signed — giving them the right to obtain full legal title at closing; legal title is the actual record ownership conveyed by the deed Is Correct

Answer B: Equitable title is the beneficial ownership interest a buyer receives when the purchase contract is signed — giving them the right to obtain full legal title at closing; legal title is the actual record ownership conveyed by the deed

When a buyer signs a valid purchase contract, they acquire equitable title — a beneficial ownership interest and the right to demand the deed upon fulfillment of contract conditions. The seller retains legal title (record ownership) until the deed is delivered at closing.

Exam Tip: Escrow & Title

Escrow questions test the neutral third-party role and the sequence of closing events. Remember that the escrow agent acts as a dual agent for both buyer and seller and cannot advocate for either side.

Key Escrow & Title Terms in This Question

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