How long will the escrow process take: a guide for home sellers in Houston – As a property seller, you’re probably want to close as quickly as possible, which is understandable. However, there’s something called “escrow” that gets in the way. It’s the time between signing the purchase contract and closing when the seller essentially does nothing except wait. However, many sellers are just unaware of the procedure, especially how long the entire escrow process will take. That’s why we’ve put together this guide for Houston house sellers — to explain escrow and how long it will take.
Overview of the Escrow and the Escrow Process
Here’s a brief definition of escrow and the escrow process in fairly technical terms…
“Escrow is a legal arrangement in which a third party holds huge sums of money or property for a period of time until a specific condition is met (such as the fulfilment of a purchase agreement). It’s a type of insurance that’s utilised in real estate transactions to safeguard both the buyer and the seller during the home-buying process. An escrow account will keep funds for taxes and homeowners insurance for the duration of the mortgage.”
When you (the seller) and the buyer have signed the purchase agreement/sales contract, “the document governing the sale of your home,” and “selected an escrow or title agent to act as mediator in making the deal happen,” the escrow procedure normally begins. Following that, this is what usually happens. . . .
- “The escrow agent, title agent, or lawyer will start ordering or preparing title reports, preparing the property deed, and more.”
- “The buyer’s lender will begin in-depth review and processing of the loan and order a professional appraisal of your home.”
- “The buyer will (depending on what contingencies were in your contract)arrange for pest and general inspections and homeowners’ insurance, plus work on meeting any other contingencies.”
Your tasks as the seller throughout all this will include:
- Providing access to your home available when needed for inspections and appraisals
- Preparing necessary forms/documents such as disclosures and other locally required forms
- “[M]meeting any other contingencies you agreed to in your contract”
Stay “in frequent contact with your real estate and escrow professionals during this time, to ensure you stay on track,” according to industry insiders. Call (713) 866-4000 to learn more about how a Houston agent can assist you with the escrow process.
How Long the Escrow Process Takes
From start to finish, the escrow process in Houston usually takes 30 to 60 days. The length of time it takes can vary “depending on the buyer and seller’s agreement, who the escrow provider is, and other factors.” In an ideal world, you’d like to stay as close to 30 days as feasible.
Following are some of the factors that can influence the length of the process:
- Mortgage pre-approval
- Time required for various necessary tasks
- Gathering and preparing requisite documents
- Specific state escrow requirements
- Time required to complete the underwriting process
(“Underwriting is the procedure by which a person or a company accepts financial risk in exchange for a fee. It aids in the establishment of fair loan borrowing rates, premiums, and underwriting generates a market for securities by appropriately pricing investment risks.”)
What Can Delay the Escrow Process
As a seller, you certainly don’t want the escrow procedure to go on indefinitely. It is possible, though, if the process has bottlenecks and inefficiencies. The following are some of the most noteworthy factors that can cause the escrow process and closing to be delayed:
THE INSPECTIONS
Inspections can cover a wide range of topics, including structural elements of a home, the presence of pests, mold/mildew, and environmental concerns. As a result, they may take a long time to complete. As a result, make sure they’re arranged in advance and with certified professionals.
LOCATING/PREPARING/ORGANIZING DOCUMENTS
“Finding and organizing the appropriate documents to close on a house is sometimes the most difficult part of escrow.” Before you start the process, you need start looking for and preparing the essential paperwork. Your Houston agent can help you with this, as well as ensuring that the buyer has all of her paperwork in order.
SLOW, INEFFICIENT, OR INCOMPETENT ESCROW SERVICE
Because the escrow service provider is unstructured or inefficient, the escrow process may take considerably longer than you would like. So look for an escrow representative who is “quick, efficient, and constantly ready to answer your questions throughout the escrow procedure.”
If the transaction is delayed, neither you nor the buyer will face any penalty “as long as the contract has no conditions about it.” However, whatever party in the transaction creates or is responsible for the delays will have to ask the other party for more time.
How to Make the Escrow Process Go Quickly and Smoothly as
A guide for home sellers in Houston, with the correct escrow provider, you won’t have to “worry about a delayed or ineffective escrow process.” Picking an escrow business known for… quick and secure escrow services is the best method to achieve the 30-day target.” And this is where your Houston agent can help you out a lot.
An expert local agent can direct you to the best escrow service providers and, as a consequence, speed up the closing process. So, if you’re a Houston property seller looking to expedite the escrow process and close as quickly as possible, call us at (713) 866-4000 immediately.