A service that enables buyers and sellers to transact business through a neutral party or Escrow Holder. The Escrow Holder is responsible for assuring that no funds or property is exchanged until all conditions of the transaction have been completed. An Escrow Account is established to hold funds on behalf of the principals. Most commonly used for Real Estate transactions to pay property tax and insurance during the term of the mortgage.
You want assurance that no funds or property will change hands until all of your instructions have been followed. With the increasing complexity of business, law and tax structures, it takes a trained professional to supervise the transaction.
The duties of an escrow holder include: following the instructions given by the principals and parties to the transaction in a timely manner; handling the funds and/or documents in accordance with instructions; paying all bills as authorized; responding to authorized requests from the principals; closing the escrow only when all terms and conditions have been met; and, distributing the funds in accordance with instructions and providing an accounting for the Closing or Settlement Statement.
Be sure to choose an independent licensed escrow provider who is 100% neutral , licensed by the Department of Corporations (DOC), requiring adherence to the most stringent standards in the industry and ensures your escrow officer has the background, training, education, support and systems in place to meet your needs. Choosing a local escrow company will help eliminate costly delays and are much more accessible for any questions you have along the way.
There are laws that prohibit the payment of referral fees; this affords the consumer the best possible escrow services without any compromise caused by a person receiving a referral fee.
Supplemental Property Taxes is another concern of the buyer. Upon transfer of real property, the County Assessor will request information to assist them in determining the value of the property for taxation purposes. Some of the information may have previously been supplied by the escrow holder at the time of the closing of the escrow, via Preliminary Change of Ownership form that should accompany each deed when it recorded.
