Final answer:
The validity of a grant deed at its inception would be compromised by a lack of a legal description of the property; this is essential to define what is being transferred.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question concerns the validity of a grant deed at its inception. A grant deed can be rendered invalid if certain essential elements are not present. Regarding the choices provided:
- Lack of consideration is not typically a reason for grant deeds to be invalid because a nominal consideration is often sufficient, and some states allow a grant deed to transfer property as a gift without consideration.
- Lack of a grantor would mean there is no one to convey the property, which is an essential element in the transaction, so without a grantor, there can be no transfer and the deed would be invalid.
- Lack of a grantee would also render a deed invalid because there must be an identifiable recipient of the property rights being conveyed.
- Lack of a legal description of the property does indeed invalidate a grant deed, as it is crucial to define exactly what property is being transferred. Without a proper legal description, it cannot be determined what rights are passing to the grantee.
Therefore, while each of the listed factors is important, the one that would cause a grant deed to be invalid at its inception is the lack of a legal description of the property (4).