Commonly Asked Escrow Questions

The Escrow process might seem daunting. Our experienced team is here to demystify the experience and to answer your questions. Here are some of the most common questions we hear from buyers, sellers, and real estate agents

Escrow is about ensuring trust in a real estate transaction. The escrow company should be a neutral third party that holds on to funds during areal estate transaction. It is used as a way to protect both the buyer and seller during the home purchasing process. For the seller, the purpose of escrow is to guarantee that the buyer has the funds needed for the purchase and that the money will be handed over once the title is transferred. For the buyer, it guarantees that they won’t be scammed by a fraudulent seller who actually holds no claim to a title. The escrow process is required by law in the state of California.

Yes, pre-qualification can save both you and the seller a lot of time and effort. It’s in your best interest to know what kind of house you can realistically afford before you engage with sellers. Many sellers will not show their home unless you have a pre-qualification letter from a lender.

The time required to close on a home depends on many variables. A general average is about 30 days. This may be shorter for an all-cash transaction or longer for a transaction involving a number of contingencies and special circumstances. Please see our Escrow Process page for a detailed overview of the timeline.

Choosing an escrow company that will treat your closing with personal attention and the highest level of customer service is a crucial component of your timely closing. Your escrow officer must meet every deadline and understand each factor in your transaction. Foundation Escrow understands that every real estate transaction has its own unique combination of circumstances, and our escrow officers possess the education and experience to overcome both the anticipated and unforeseen challenges. Contact us at: (619) 327-2140 if you have any questions or to get started.

Because we are the best in the business. Our goal is to make buying and selling real estate easy and stress free for you. We are an independent Southern California escrow company with over 100 years of combined experience. Our priority is to provide personalized and focused attention to guide each of our clients through every step of the escrow process. See our Testimonials to hear from our satisfied clients themselves

We know you have enough to worry about, with showing homes and negotiating contracts. The last thing you need to worry about is the escrow process. Our goal is to take the stress and worry out of the escrow service. We stay up to date with the latest funding law and escrow process changes so that your escrow will go smoothly every time. Our experts have over 100 years of escrow experience combined. San Diego’s most savvy and successful real estate agents trust Foundation Escrow to close their deals and we’d love to work with you.

Probably not. The buyer’s new lender in most cases will not accept an appraisal that was ordered by the seller. Unless the property is very unique or unusual, there are much cheaper ways to determine the value of a property.

This decision belongs to the buyer and seller. This is NOT up to the real estate agent, lender, or title company. There are federal laws in place that make it illegal for all companies in the real estate industry to pay referral fees or kickbacks to other real estate providers. Ensure that your escrow company is truly independent. Insist on using Foundation Escrow, as escrow is our ONLY business.

This is when a real estate service provider (title, escrow, lender, or real estate brokerage)combines to provide multiple services from the same company or even the same office. This comes in many forms and can lead to complications, conflicts of interest, and biased outcomes that benefit the provider instead of the buyer and seller. We at Foundation Escrow, along with most real estate attorneys and real estate professionals, agree that your escrow provider should be an independent, neutral, third-party to your transaction. Ensure that your escrow company is truly independent. Insist on using Foundation Escrow, as escrow is our ONLY business.

There are many different types of inspections available to buyers, sellers and lenders. Most lenders for the buyer will require an appraisal by their own appraiser. A termite inspection is required in most cases also. Buyers will often times want to have a professional home inspection service look at the property prior to purchasing.

Typically, the seller orders the termite inspection. The seller must arrange a time when the inspector can have access to the property.

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