What type of deed would provide the least protection to the buyer?

A quitclaim deed provides the least protection to the buyer because it conveys only whatever interest the seller has in the property without any warranties or guarantees. This means that if the seller does not actually own the property or if there are any liens or encumbrances against it, the buyer has no recourse or claim against the seller. The quitclaim deed essentially makes no assurances regarding the quality of the title, leaving the buyer to accept the title as is, with all its potential defects.

In contrast, a general warranty deed provides the highest level of protection, as it includes promises from the seller that the title is clear of encumbrances and that the seller will defend against any claims to the title. A special warranty deed offers some protection, but it only warrants against defects that occurred during the time the seller owned the property. A grant deed generally provides some level of assurance that the property has not been sold to someone else and that the seller has the right to convey it, but it still does not offer the comprehensive protections of a general warranty deed.