Understanding Escrow — What It Is & What to Expect
- Andrew Georgitsis
- Jul 25
- 2 min read
📑 Understanding Escrow: What It Is & What to Expect
Once your offer is accepted, the real work begins. That’s where escrow comes in.
🧾 So, What Is Escrow?
“Escrow” is the period between offer acceptance and closing, usually lasting around 30 days. It’s also the neutral third party (the escrow company) that holds your funds, manages documents, and ensures everything goes according to plan.
Think of escrow as your secure middleman—they protect both buyer and seller until everything is official.
🔐 What Happens During Escrow?
Here’s a simple breakdown of what to expect:
1. Deposit Held (aka “Earnest Money”)
You’ll wire a small deposit (typically 1–3% of the purchase price) to escrow to show good faith.
2. Disclosures Are Reviewed
The seller shares details about the property: known issues, HOA docs, natural hazards, etc.
3. Inspections & Appraisal Happen
You schedule a home inspection; your lender orders an appraisal. Both help confirm the home’s condition and value.
4. Loan Finalization
Your lender verifies final documentation and prepares your loan for funding.
5. Title Review & Insurance
Escrow confirms the home has a clear title (no unpaid liens) and helps set up your homeowner’s insurance.
6. Final Walkthrough & Signing
You’ll double-check the home before signing closing docs and wiring the rest of your down payment.
📆 Typical Escrow Timeline: ~30 Days
Day 1–5: Deposit + Disclosures
Day 6–14: Inspection & Appraisal
Day 15–25: Loan approval + insurance setup
Day 25–30: Final walkthrough, signing, funding
⏳ Some deals close faster, some slower—it depends on the lender, inspections, and how clean the title is.
🤝 Your Agent & Escrow Work Closely Together
You’re not expected to track all this yourself. I’ll work with your escrow officer and lender every step of the way to keep things moving and communicate any next steps clearly.
—
Andrew Georgitsis
DRE#02266192
📧 info@socalrealtyandinvestments.com 📞 866-322-5487
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