Residential Escrow
Residential Property Sale
Escrow for home purchases and sales, from open to close.
Overview
When you buy or sell a home in California, escrow is the neutral middle ground between the two sides of the deal. From the moment a purchase agreement is signed until the deed is recorded at the county, your escrow officer holds the earnest money deposit, tracks every contingency and deadline in the contract, and makes sure nothing changes hands until both parties have actually done what they agreed to do.
As an independent escrow company, Premier Escrow Services, Inc. isn't tied to a particular lender, title company, or brokerage. That matters because our escrow officers work directly with your agent, your lender, and the title company to keep the file moving: chasing down signatures, confirming loan documents are in, and preparing the closing statement that shows exactly where every dollar in the transaction goes.
For most buyers and sellers, escrow is the part of the transaction they interact with the least and worry about the most. Having someone independent hold the funds and the paperwork means neither side is trusting the other with money before the deal is actually done, and it gives both sides a clear paper trail if a question comes up later.
How It Works
- 1
Escrow opens once the purchase agreement is signed and earnest money is deposited.
- 2
Escrow coordinates the title search, contingency removal, and collection of loan documents.
- 3
Buyer and seller review and sign closing documents.
- 4
Funds are verified and disbursed, and the deed is recorded with the county.
- 5
Escrow closes and final documents are delivered to all parties.
Estimate Your Closing Costs
Get a rough, illustrative estimate of transfer tax, escrow, and title costs. Adjust any figure below; every rate except the statutory transfer tax base is an editable placeholder, not Premier's actual pricing.
Default is California's general base rate. Many cities add their own transfer tax on top, so confirm your county/city rate.
Placeholder rate, not Premier's actual fee schedule. Contact us for an exact quote.
Placeholder rate, actual title premiums vary by insurer and price tier.
Estimated Breakdown
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a typical residential escrow take?
Timelines vary by transaction, financing, and county recording schedules. Your escrow officer can give you a transaction-specific estimate once escrow opens.
Who chooses the escrow company?
In California, the choice of escrow company is typically negotiated between buyer and seller as part of the purchase agreement.
What is a closing cost estimate or net sheet?
A closing cost estimate approximates a buyer's total costs at closing; a net sheet approximates a seller's proceeds after fees. Use the calculator below for a rough estimate, or contact us for transaction-specific numbers.
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