Which type of deed warrants title only for the period during which the seller owned it?

A special warranty deed conveys a limited warranty of title from the seller to the buyer. It guarantees that the seller has not incurred any encumbrances or issues related to the title during their ownership of the property. This means that if any problems arise with the title that occurred before the seller owned it, the seller is not responsible for resolving those issues.

In contrast, a general warranty deed provides a broader protection, ensuring the buyer that the seller is liable for any title issues that occurred at any point in time, not just during their ownership. A quitclaim deed, on the other hand, transfers whatever interest the seller has in the property without any warranties or guarantees about the title. A disclaimer deed is not a standard type of deed in real estate transactions concerning title transfer.

Thus, the special warranty deed is the instrument that specifically warrants title only for the period during which the seller owned the property, making it the correct choice for this question.