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Closing the Sale in Needham, Massachusetts

 Louis Wolfson & Co. can walk you through closing - (617) 799-3326
Let's talk about "escrow". An escrow holder is used to assure your home closes on time and the money exchanging part of closing goes smoothly. A house is said to be in escrow when in the closing transaction, money is secured by a third party on behalf of a buyer and a seller when the transaction is taking place. For example, in an Internet transaction, PayPal is the secure third party that obtains the buyer's funds, and then disburses the money to the seller.

Clearing the final hurdles like obtaining funds, completing forms, obtaining the documents for loans and liens, and making sure you get a spotless title to the property in preparation of your purchase gets finalized are all parts of closing in which an escrow company is useful.

Escrow companies compile the following pieces of paperwork:

  • Terms of sale and any seller-assisted financing
  • Requests for payment for various services to be paid out of escrow funds
  • Loan documents
  • Tax statements
  • Fire and other insurance policies
  • Title insurance policies

You're ready to close when all parts are complete in escrow process. All expenses like title insurance, inspections and real estate commissions are paid. You'll then secure the title to the home and the title insurance gets dispersed as outlined in the escrow instructions.

When closing is completely finished, you'll make a payment to the escrow agent. As your REALTOR, I'll let you know what is an acceptable way of paying.

The Escrow Holder Will:

  • Write escrow instructions
  • Petition title search
  • Comply with the bank's standards as outlined in the escrow agreement
  • Accept payments from the buyer
  • Prorate interest, insurance, tax and other payments according to guidelines
  • Record deeds and other paperwork as instructed
  • Obtain title insurance policy
  • Close escrow when all instructions of seller and buyer have been met
  • Disburse payments and finalize instructions

The Escrow Holder Won't:

  • Tell you what's best - the escrow holder has to remain an impartial, third-party status
  • Give insight about the outcome of your taxes
The Escrow Holder Will:
The Escrow Holder Won't:
  • Write escrow guidelines
  • Request title search
  • Comply with the bank's standards as specified in the escrow agreement
  • Intake funds from the buyer
  • Prorate interest, insurance, tax and other payments according to guidelines
  • Record deeds and other documents as instructed
  • Obtain title insurance policy
  • Close escrow when all instructions of seller and buyer are complete
  • Disburse monies and finish instructions
  • Offer advice - the escrow agent has to remain an impartial, third-party status
  • Offer opinions about future tax estimations

Mortgage Escrow Account

Often, to pay recurring costs while there's a loan on the house, a Mortgage Escrow Account is created. Escrow Accounts are contributed to monthly by the home buyer (who is now the homeowner), but there is also a lump sum that goes into the account at closing.

This is a quick run-down of the escrow process. Your specific methods will be different based on your bank and your escrow company.

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Louis Wolfson & Co.

29 Cimino Road
Needham, MA 02494