Helpful escrow resources

Links to the organizations that regulate and support California real estate transactions, plus a plain-language glossary of common escrow terms.

Useful links

Organizations & agencies

Licenses and regulates independent escrow companies in California.

Licensing and consumer information for real estate transactions.

Statewide trade association for real estate professionals.

Professional education and certification for escrow officers.

Official California state government portal.

Property document recording for Los Angeles County.

Glossary

Escrow: A neutral arrangement where an impartial third party holds funds and documents until all conditions of an agreement are met.
Escrow instructions: The written directions signed by buyer and seller that tell the escrow holder how to carry out the transaction.
Earnest money deposit: The good-faith deposit a buyer places into escrow after an offer is accepted.
Preliminary title report: A report showing current ownership, liens and encumbrances on a property before title insurance is issued.
Contingency: A condition — such as inspection, appraisal or loan approval — that must be satisfied or removed before closing.
Settlement statement: The itemized accounting of all credits, debits, fees and prorations for each party.
Prorations: The division of ongoing costs such as property taxes and HOA dues between buyer and seller as of the closing date.
Recording: Filing the deed and loan documents with the county recorder, which makes the transfer a matter of public record.
1031 exchange: A tax-deferred exchange of investment property under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Bulk sale: The transfer of a business's assets, which in California often requires a dedicated escrow.

Talk with a senior escrow officer today. We'll review your transaction, answer questions and send a clear, competitive quote.