In the modern era, few people own their own homes. Most people are either renting or buying houses on mortgages that may last years. Dealing with mortgages can be difficult, as poverty and check-to-check living strides onwards. Most people do not have enough money to afford houses, thanks to the prevalence of capitalism in most countries. This is the case, especially for the US. According to a survey done in 2019, nearly 43.97 million people live in poverty in the US. Those who do not utilize the Escrow Process may suffer the consequences.
The economy is in shambles, but there is not much one can do to turn the tides unless countries turn matters into their own hands. Real estate prices only keep on rising as luxuries surge upwards. Prices are spiking in all areas of the world, petrol prices, medicine prices, etc. Usually, taxes are enough to take over a person’s entire paycheck after paying for utilities like electricity, water, etc.
However, there are a few ways people can overcome inflated living standards regarding real estate. Mortgages are an option most landlords give to tenants. Tenants may take out bank loans to pay off their house overtime on interest. Still, many problems go about mortgages. The tenant, the landlord, and the bank must sign a contract, but you can usually confound contracts. There is a solution to this, however, called the escrow process.
What does escrow mean in real estate?
When you’re buying a house, it’s always essential to include a third-party modulator to oversee the transaction of buying or selling a home. The third-party should be neutral and should supervise the transaction with fairness. When a borrower and lender sign a contract, you must take specific steps to ensure fairness. All assets and funds pertaining to the transaction are submitted to the third party. They hold onto the assets and keep them secure until both parties involved fulfil the contract.
A third-party consultant is a precautionary measure to ensure that all transactions go smoothly and lawfully. This entire procedure is known as the escrow process, and the third-party consultant is called an escrow agent. The procedure was first founded in 1895 in California, USA. Before the concept of escrow, there was the usual method of attorneys that held conferences in their parties’ steads.
What is the point of escrow?
The concept of escrow was put forward due to the lack of trust between two parties when conducting a transaction. The lack of faith is not unfounded; back in the days of the 1800s, there was much fraud and embezzlement. Many fraudulent schemes would go unpunished due to a lack of evidence and holes during contract forgery. Stories would spread like wildfire of such schemes that would make people wary of one another.
For this reason, third parties were inserted into the mix as escrow agents to oversee and uphold transactions. They were usually lawyers who could handle the control of funds and assets and hold both parties to their contracts. However, even some escrow agents have gone astray and occasionally run off with the assets. Now, there are more preventive measures to avoid such fraud.
What are the advantages of escrow?
You can probably spot the advantages of escrow a mile away; it’s a neat process based on fairness and trust. One can secure their real estate transactions this way to ensure no one can plot dishonest schemes. The escrow process has been going around for centuries because of the elimination of risks during transactions. Some of the benefits of escrow are:
- When borrowers invest in an escrow account, they can decide the amount paid each month. The amount can vary depending on the borrower’s financial situation, and the escrow agents accommodate the transaction in ways beneficial to both parties involved.
- Borrowers receive the complete protection of the escrow account. If the money they put into paying mortgages is sufficient, there may be leftovers. The borrower is given their money back without question, and they have full rights to claim what is theirs.
- The money in the escrow account automatically takes care of taxes and insurance. The buyer will not have to worry about side costs as the escrow agent takes care of them according to the assets prescribed to them.
There are a few drawbacks of escrow, including embezzlement in terms of the third party. However, all parties involved are well-protected by the contracts set in stone.
Why should you invest time in the escrow process?
Everything in an escrow process comes down to the parties’ morality. It can take a month or so for those who aren’t devoted to the transaction. However, for serious and committed, the process can be completed in less than a week. It all comes down to whether or not you’re someone who likes to get things done. An escrow process can save time during transactions depending on all parties involved. It’s essential to exercise constant vigilance while dabbling in escrow and make sure your escrow agent is top-notch before investing time and money into the process.
