Escrow: Now What | Shari Silva, CA Real Estate Expert

During this period of purchasing your home, you are going to need an escrow or settlement company to act as an independent third party so that you know when and to whom to give your money to get the deed to your new home.

The escrow or settlement company will hold your deposit and coordinate much of the activity that goes on during the escrow period. This deposit check may also be held by an attorney or in the broker's trust account. Make sure that there are sufficient funds in your account to cover this check.

The deposit check will be cashed. Assuming the sale goes through, this money will be applied to the purchase price of the home. If for any reason the sale is not consummated, you may be entitled to receive all of your deposit back, less standard cancellation fees.

In certain instances, the seller may be able to retain this money as liquidated damages. Prior to executing a purchase contract, it would be wise to speak with your counsel regarding whether or not it is your best interest to have a liquidated damages clause as part of the contract.

The period that you are "in escrow" is often 30 days, but may be longer or shorter. During this time, each item specified in the contract must be completed satisfactorily. By the time you have opened escrow, you have come to an agreement with the seller on the closing date and the contingencies.

Each contract is different, but most include the folowing:

Inspection contingency:

This should be completed as soon as possible after the contract to purchase is signed as unsatisfactory results of the inspection may mean that you will want to cancel the contract.
Financing contingency:

Once the contract is signed, you have a period of time to secure funding. If, for any reason, you are unable to secure funding during the period of time granted to you by the contract (and the seller will not provide a written extension of time), you must decide whether you want to remove the contingency and take your chances on getting a loan. You may choose to cancel the purchase contract.
A requirement that the seller must provide marketable title:

With an attorney or title officer, review the title report. The title must be "clear" to ensure that you do not have legal issues regarding your ownership. Check into local and state ordinances regarding property transfer and make sure that you and/or the seller have complied with them.
Secure homeowner's insurance:

This will probably be required before you can close the sale. Due to such requirements as special fire and earthquake insurance, obtaining this insurance may require a lengthy period of time. It would be in your best interest to apply for insurance as soon as possible after the contract is signed.
Contact local utility companies:

Contact local utility companies to schedule to have service turned on when you close escrow.
Schedule the final walk-through inspection:

At this time, you should make sure that the property is exactly as the contract says it should be. What you thought to be a "permanently attached" chandelier that would come with the property might have been removed by the seller and replaced with a different fixture entirely.

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Escrow: Now What?

Each contract is different, but most include the folowing:

Inspection contingency:

Financing contingency:

A requirement that the seller must provide marketable title:

Secure homeowner's insurance:

Contact local utility companies:

Schedule the final walk-through inspection:

Congratulations!

WORK WITH SHARI

Leave a Message

Thank you for your message. We will be in touch with you shortly.

Escrow: Now What?

Each contract is different, but most include the folowing:

Inspection contingency:

Financing contingency:

A requirement that the seller must provide marketable title:

Secure homeowner's insurance:

Contact local utility companies:

Schedule the final walk-through inspection:

Congratulations!

WORK WITH SHARI

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