Whether it's your first place or your next home, I'll educate you through the process. Call me at 512-834-1600.

Completing the Transaction

 John Horton Realty can walk you through closing - 512-834-1600
Escrow: An escrow company is hired to assure your home closes on time and the closing process goes smoothly. When payment is held by a third party in a transaction between a buyer and a seller, it's in escrow. PayPal is a good example of an escrow company.

The escrow holder insures that all terms and conditions of the seller's and buyer's agreement are met prior to the sale being finalized. This includes securing funds and records, finishing required forms, and seeking out the release documents for any loans or liens that were paid with the transaction, assuring you have a clean title to your house before the agreed upon price is fully paid.

Escrow holders look for the following legal documents:

  • Loan documents
  • Tax statements
  • Fire and other insurance policies
  • Title insurance policies
  • Terms of sale and any seller-assisted financing
  • Requests for payment for various services to be paid out of escrow funds

Upon finishing of all portions of the escrow, closing can take place. All payments owed and fees are taken and paid at this time (covering expenses such as title insurance, inspections, real estate commissions). You'll then get the title to the house and the title insurance gets dispersed as agreed upon in the escrow instructions.

When closing is in it's last step, you'll pay the fees to the escrow company. You'll know when it's time to submit the form of payment.

The Escrow Holder Will:

  • Prepare escrow guidelines
  • Perform a title inquiry
  • Meet the bank's guidelines as noted in the escrow agreement
  • Accept funds from the buyer
  • Prorate insurance, tax, interest and other payments according to instructions
  • Record deeds and other legal documents as instructed
  • Obtain title insurance policy
  • Close escrow when all terms of agreement of seller and buyer are complete
  • Disburse funds and finalize instructions

The Escrow Holder Won't:

  • Advise you - the escrow holder has to remain an impartial, third-party status
  • Give insight about the outcome of your taxes
The Escrow Holder Will:
The Escrow Holder Won't:
  • Prepare escrow instructions
  • Perform a title search
  • Comply with the bank's standards as specified in the escrow agreement
  • Receive payments from the buyer
  • Prorate tax, interest, insurance and other fees according to instructions
  • Record deeds and other legal documents as instructed
  • Obtain title insurance policy
  • Close escrow when all instructions of seller and buyer are complete
  • Disburse funds and finish instructions
  • Tell you what's best - the escrow holder stays a neutral, third-party status
  • Dispense opinions about the outcome of your taxes

Mortgage Escrow Account

A Mortgage Escrow Account is started to pay recurring fees while there is a loan on the house. Escrow Accounts are contributed to monthly by the home buyer (who is now the homeowner), but there is also a lump sum that goes into the account at closing.

Now you know more about being in escrow. And, you can be a more informed home buyer and future homeowner.

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