29. In most states, for a deed to be recorded, it must be in writing and
Answer: C
A deed must be acknowledged to be recorded.
For a deed to be recorded in most states, it must not only be in writing but also acknowledged, which typically means that the signing party must confirm the signature in front of a notary public or authorized official.
A) signed by the buyer.
While a deed must be signed by the grantor (the seller), it does not necessarily need to be signed by the buyer for it to be recorded. Therefore, this option is incorrect as it does not address the primary requirement of acknowledgment for recording.
B) include the sales price.
Including the sales price in a deed is not a standard requirement for recording. This detail may be pertinent for other documentation or tax purposes, but it is not necessary for the deed itself to be validly recorded, making this option incorrect.
C) acknowledged.
Acknowledgment of a deed is crucial for its recording. This process ensures that the person who signed the deed is indeed the person who executed it, thus providing a layer of authenticity and legal standing necessary for the document to be recorded.
D) free of all liens.
A deed does not need to be free of all liens to be recorded. It is possible for a property to have existing liens, and those do not prevent the deed from being recorded. Thus, this option is incorrect as it misrepresents the requirements for recording a deed.
Conclusion
Acknowledgment is a fundamental requirement for a deed to be recorded in most states, confirming the legitimacy of the signature. Other options, while relevant in different contexts, do not fulfill the specific requirement necessary for recording, which is why Option C is definitively correct.