Essential Escrow Tips for LA Home Buyers: What to Watch Out For

The escrow is an impartial third party to streamline the sale process. The Escrow Holder gathers the down payment from the Buyer and the loan monies from the Lender. The Escrow Holder pays the Seller's loans, liens, and agreed-upon vendor bills at closing utilizing all cash gathered. The determined final net proceeds to be paid to the Seller shall be paid then, and only then are you the owner. 

Escrow Basics

You have three business days after accepting the offer to put the earnest money into an escrow account. The escrow period is 30 days. It would be best to work closely with the lender to approve your loan fully. Your lender will order the appraisal, and they will only loan on the approved appraised amount. Contractually speaking, we have 17 days for the appraisal and 21 days for the loan. The seller has 7 days to give the buyers all the disclosures for review. Please ensure your California house inspector has adequate errors and omissions insurance and a current certificate from a recognized state and local permitting agency. A trustworthy home inspector should be equipped with the training, expertise, and knowledge to thoroughly evaluate a property's condition, pinpointing any problems and assuring adherence to local building laws and regulations.

Escrow Period

When securing a loan, the escrow procedure usually takes 30 days; however, it could take longer for complicated or commercial transactions. The time frame the buyer and seller set to finish the appropriate procedures and close the sale is the escrow period.

When you start the escrow process, you may anticipate several crucial stages to guarantee a secure and easy transaction. Initially, an escrow account is created to safely keep deposits and other payments until the transaction is finished. During this time, as a buyer, you will need to be aware of the following milestones:

Await bank approval: The purchaser's financial institution will examine and confirm the money for the down payment and closing charges.

The buyer will engage with a lender to secure the requisite mortgage loan to finance the purchase.

Complete inspections: Home inspections will be carried out to assess the state of the property and find any potential problems that need fixing before closing.

The buyer must obtain hazard insurance, which guards the home against damage from fire, storms, and other natural catastrophes.

To confirm that the property is in the agreed-upon condition and that any necessary repairs have been made, the buyer will undertake final walkthroughs before closing.

Final Walk-through: Following completion of all the procedures mentioned earlier, the closing procedure will start, entailing the signature of papers, payment of fees, and, ultimately, the transfer of ownership.

The buyer and the seller will collaborate closely with their respective agents and other specialists throughout the escrow period to ensure all necessary duties are finished correctly and on time, culminating in a successful transaction.

What occurs in California on the last day of escrow?

Escrows are considered closed in California when the Grant Deed enters the County Recorder's official records. When the deed is date-stamped by the county clerk, ownership of the property is transferred from the seller to the buyer.

How much does escrow cost? 

California does not specify or regulate the typical escrow payment. In addition to a $250 basic charge for each party, escrow agency costs typically total around 0.20%, or $2 per $1,000 of the property's selling price. As a result, the total escrow fee for a property worth $1,000,000 might be roughly $4,500, with $2,250 paid by each side.

How are money transfers made from escrow?

The buyer's money is kept in an escrow account until the sale is finished. The money is released from the escrow account to the seller after the buyer approves the deal.

Final Days of Escrow

Once the escrow process is nearing completion in a real estate transaction, the title company plays a crucial role in finalizing the deal. After all the conditions have been met and the necessary paperwork has been signed, the title company records the transfer of ownership documents, such as the deed, with the appropriate county recorder's office.

The escrow is considered closed as soon as the title company records the transfer. At this point, the buyer can officially take possession of the property. The keys are handed over, and the new homeowner can move in and begin enjoying their new home.

This final step of recording the transfer and closing the escrow is essential, ensuring that the buyer's ownership is legally recognized and protected. The title company also handles the disbursement of funds, including the payment to the seller and any other fees or costs associated with the transaction.

In summary, the closing of escrow and the transfer recording by the title company marks the official end of the real estate transaction. Once completed, the buyer may take possession of the property and begin their new chapter as a homeowner.