Escrow
Escrow Important for Home Buying
Escrow is a term that will undoubtedly be discussed during the process of purchasing a house. Putting a down payment on a home initiates the buying process. As there are several steps necessary to complete the process, it is important to protect this down payment. Hence the reason for escrow, which is a bank account created and maintained by an impartial third party, which is not connected to the buyer or seller in any way. An escrow agent can be recommended by a broker, but the decision as to who is hired should be a mutual choice made by both the buyer and the seller.
You are not required to use an escrow agent in real estate, but you will have a hard time finding a bank or lending institution that does not require escrow. This is due to the size of funds which is changing hands in the transaction. Escrow acts as a protection against either party not honoring the terms of the transaction.
When escrow proceedings begin, make sure to have your photo identification available, as well as the contact information of your home insurance providers. Closing usually occurs within one to two months, and the creation of the account provides guarantee that the money placed in escrow will not actually be disbursed until all terms have been met.
Purchasing a home can be a hectic and nerve-wracking time. You will need to obtain homeowner’s insurance and have your new home inspected and assessed for financing. It is important that you keep in touch with your escrow agent. Do not hesitate to call him or her with any questions, that is their job. An escrow agent can explain all escrow-related matters so that you will be able to execute any deadlines. If there are obligations the seller has agreed to, you must inform the agent if you are not satisfied. Make sure to inspect each document for correctness, and inform your agent any changes that need be made for accuracy. Just like closing fees, escrow costs can vary depending upon where the contract is being executed and the company handling it.
Escrow is not limited to real estate. Almost any type of valuable property may use escrow to ensure the transaction goes according to plan. Business sales can also use escrow accounts, as do expensive websites and occasionally the source code of popular software. Beware of escrow fraud, however. A number of online escrow agents are fraudulent, so make sure you are dealing with a real company. Find out the company’s address and telephone number to make sure it is located in the United States. Call to talk to an actual agent, and question him about his experience. You may also want to check with the Better Business Bureau to make sure the escrow agent is a member.
Once the transaction has gone through, you will receive a closing statement. This statement will show the funds you paid into the account, the escrow agent’s fee, the price of the property, and any other claims on the property, such as liens. In some cases, you may also receive a refund check. Once you have received the closing statement, do not lose it. You will need to provide it to your accountant, to ensure accuracy on your tax returns. Also, the Internal Revenue Service may want to see your closing statement to prove that you paid the funds you state for the property.
If you are looking to buy in the San Diego area, consider affordable South Bay homes for sale or even Solana Beach real estate. For more information about San Diego communities, visit our blog: California Community Guide,
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