What does the term "warranties" refer to in a real estate context?

In a real estate context, the term "warranties" primarily refers to promises made by the seller regarding the condition and characteristics of the property being sold. This includes assurances about the truth of property representations, such as the title being clear of liens, the absence of significant defects, or compliance with zoning laws. Warranties serve to protect the buyer by providing a form of guarantee that certain facts about the property are accurate. If these warranties turn out to be untrue, the buyer may have legal recourse to address any discrepancies.

While legal defenses, posted notices, and insurance are all relevant concepts in real estate transactions, they do not encapsulate the specific meaning of "warranties." Legal defenses may help sellers respond to buyer complaints, posted notices pertain more to local regulations rather than guarantees, and insurance protects against financial loss but does not equate to the promises made regarding the property's condition or characteristics. Therefore, the correct understanding of "warranties" centers on the promises that ensure buyers can trust the seller's representations about the property.