What Is Escrow?

An escrow is an arrangement in which a disinterested third party holds legal documents and funds on behalf of a buyer and seller, and distributes them according to the buyer's and seller's instructions.

People buying and selling real estate often open an escrow for their protection and convenience. The buyer can instruct the escrow holder to disburse the purchase price only upon the satisfaction of certain prerequisites and conditions. The seller can instruct the escrow holder to retain possession of the deed to the buyer until the seller's requirements, including receipt of the purchase price, are met. Both rely on the escrow holder to carry out faithfully their mutually consistent instructions relating to the transaction and to advise them if any of their instructions are not mutually consistent or cannot be carried out.

An escrow is convenient for the buyer and seller because both can move forward separately but simultaneously in providing inspections, reports, loan commitments and funds, deeds and many other items, using the escrow holder as the central depositing point. If the instructions from all parties to an escrow are clearly drafted, fully detailed and mutually consistent, the escrow holder can take many actions on their behalf without further consultation. This saves time and facilitates the closing of the transaction.

The escrow process was developed to help facilitate the sale or purchase of your home. The escrow holder accomplishes this by:

§         Acting as the impartial "stake-holder," or depository of documents and funds

§         Processing and coordinating the flow of documents and funds

§         Keeping all parties informed of progress on the escrow

§         Responding to the lender's requirements

§         Securing a title insurance policy

§         Obtaining approvals of reports and documents from the parties as required

§         Prorating and adjusting insurance, taxes, rents, etc.

§         Recording the deed and loan documents

§         Maintaining security and accountability of monies owed and owing.

Find out more about the Life Of An Escrow  by viewing this chart.