Under a race recording statute, who prevails in a conflict between two purchasers?

• A. The one who records second
• B. The one with best title
• C. The one who records first, regardless of knowledge
• D. The one who pays more

Answer: (C)

In a race recording state, priority is decided by the act of recording, not by the quality of the title or what the buyers know. The first to record takes priority, regardless of knowledge of the other claimant. So if one purchaser records first, that interest wins even if the second purchaser has a better title or knew about the first. If both record, the earlier recording controls and the later one loses. The option focusing on who records first, regardless of knowledge, is the correct reflection of how race recording statutes operate. Choices that rely on who records second, the “best title,” or who pays more don’t fit this framework.