Closing your real estate sale or purchase involves many individuals: the Escrow Officer and a representative from the lending institution to finalize the paperwork for the loan and sale in order to transfer the property title to you. The purchase agreement or contract you signed describes the property, states the purchase price and terms, sets forth the method of payment, and usually names the date and place where the closing or actual transfer of the property title and keys will occur.

If financing the property, your lender will require you to sign a document, usually a promissory note, as evidence that you are personally responsible for repaying the loan. You will also sign a mortgage or deed of trust on the property as security to the lender for the loan. The mortgage or deed of trust gives the lender the right to sell the property if you fail to make the payments.

At closing, you will be required to pay all fees, closing costs and the remainder of the down payment in the form of a Cashiers Check. Your escrow officer will notify you of the exact amount before your closing appointment.

What is an Escrow Account?

An escrow account is a neutral depository held by your lender for funds that will be used to pay expenses incurred by the property, such as taxes, assessments, property insurance, or mortgage insurance premiums which fall due in the future. You will pay one-twelfth of the annual amount of these bills each month with your regular mortgage payment.

When the bills fall due the lender pays them from the special account. At closing, it may be necessary to pay enough into the account to cover these amounts for several months so that funds will be available to pay the bills as they fall due.

What is an Escrow? - learn about the function of an escrow company

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