Santa Barbara Realtors

Escrow is the neutral third party that acts as the depository for documents and money in a real estate transaction.

Upon request, escrow provides copies of the real estate purchase contract, earnest money deposit and escrow instructions to the lender at the beginning of the transaction.  Additional items may be estimated closing statements, copies of trust, homeowner’s association information, and evidence of insurance.

Escrow provides the title company with the buyer’s and seller’s completed statements and items specified in the preliminary title report as needed to clear the title.  The Title Officer reviews them and may request additional items.

Escrow creates the estimated and final closing statements, which are an accounting of the real estate transaction.

Escrow receives prints and reviews the loan documents, specifically the lender’s instructions.   A member of the staff will prepare the estimated HUD statements and arrange the signing of these and other documents with a notary public.  Once signed and returned the escrow officer will then assist the lender in compiling funding conditions.  Escrow is then notified by the buyer’s lender when they are ready to release loan funds.

When all conditions of the escrow have been met, including receipts of all necessary and cleared funds, we then notify the title company to release the documents for recording.  Upon confirmation of recording, escrow completes the prorations and costs in order to reconcile/balance all funds to be dispersed.