A deed becomes effective:

A deed becomes effective on its delivery to the grantee. This principle is grounded in property law, which emphasizes that the transfer of ownership is not merely about the execution of the deed but rather the actual delivery of that deed to the person receiving the property rights. Delivery signifies that the grantor intends to transfer the title to the grantee.

Recording the deed serves primarily to provide public notice of the ownership transfer but does not affect the validity of the deed itself; a deed can be effective even if it has not yet been recorded. Similarly, the payment of transfer taxes is a procedural requirement that can influence the legal transfer process or the cost associated with it, but it does not impact the deed's effectiveness. While the signing of the deed by the grantor is indeed necessary for its authenticity, the key factor for the deed to take effect is its delivery, as this constitutes the actual conveyance of property rights.