WHAT IS ESCROW – A Description by Title Guaranty
THE DICTIONARY DEFINES ESCROW as “The deposit of deed, bond, monies, contract or other written agreements with a third person to be delivered or used only upon performance or fulfillment of set conditions.” More simply, Escrow may be defined as a stakeholder.
IN PRACTICE, ESCROW INCLUDES all of the services of a person skilled in the performance of the many details required to quickly and safely close your real estate transaction. The Seller’s title is protected, held in safekeeping until all terms are complete. The Buyers may deposit funds, secure in the knowledge that they will be held in trust until the transfer of the property.
A real estate transaction requires time…time to perform the details of a title search, to prepare documents and obtain financing. During this period, the parties should be protected with a written contract containing all the terms and conditions of the sale.
ESCROW PROVIDES ONE CENTRAL PLACE where all funds and documents may be deposited. Here they can be collected and disbursed only when all conditions of the contract are met.
Escrow is an independent third party who can perform these services impartially, protecting both Buyer and Seller, and acting on their written instructions in dealing with lenders, attorneys, brokers, agents, and any other parties involved in the transfer of the property.
THE ESCROW OFFICER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR the final settlement between the Buyer and Seller, the recording of the required documents, the payoff of the existing liens or mortgages, and the proration of real property taxes, lease rents, maintenance fees, and any other property expenses to assure an accurate and complete closing.
Finally, escrow provides a lasting record of the transaction that will be available in the future (up to seven years after the date of recording) to establish the terms and conditions of the transaction.
THERE ARE MANY EXCELLENT escrow companies in Hawaii. Not all states are “Escrow States” although, in practice, they all go through a similar set of procedures in order to complete a real estate transaction. I have been very happy with the quality of work provided to myself and my clients by Title Guaranty. There is a rumor that I might be just a tiny bit hard to please when it comes to the service my clients get. I only really have one request of a title officer, a perfect transaction every time. So far Title Guaranty Escrow Officer Marcia De Lima has given me just that and been very pleasant at the same time.
Joyce Murphy, Realtor Broker BIC
Hawaiian Isle Real Estate LLC
808-443-4302 / 808-327-1155
“In Real Estate, Experience Counts”
2007 Most Creative Advertising Award – Kona Board of Realtors
More Kona Real Estate Information at:
www.LuxuryRealEstateHI.com
Luxury Real Estate Florida, Inc. Broker/Owner
321-783-1155 / 321-480-5779
#1 Listing Agent in Brevard County’s Top Ten Condo Sales 2007
More Space Coast Information at:
www.LuxuryRealEstateFL.com
Filed under: Real Estate Information
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