How Do Title and Escrow Protect My Property in Florida?

August 20, 2024

Title and escrow are fundamental parts of any real estate transaction. They work differently across different states but their importance is the same on all accounts. They're meant to protect sellers, buyers, and lenders while ensuring that every step is being completed in accordance with local laws. With this goal in mind, title and escrow companies oversee negotiations, draft documents, go over existing records, and more.

What You Need To Know About Title and Escrow

Title and escrow are the main aspects of a real estate transaction. They protect the clients' best interests and ensure that the transaction is valid from a legal standpoint. Let's look at both terms separately:

Escrow: In its most basic form, escrow is a financial transaction where the parties involved need to fulfill specific responsibilities in advance. That's why it's a common practice in stocks and sales outside of the real estate market.

Escrow in real estate transactions refers to the process where funds are placed in a special account following the initial negotiations over the terms of a real estate sale. The escrow account holds the earnest money from the buyer, usually amounting to 3-5% of the sale. This initial deposit serves as a show of good faith and the buyer's commitment to make the purchase.

In escrow, a neutral third party (usually a real estate agent) will hold the funds for the duration of the transaction. The funds are released after verifying that the clauses in the escrow agreement have been met and once the closing documents are signed.

Title: Title is the legal ownership of a property and it's shown through a deed where the name of the owner is recorded. In a real estate transaction, title refers to the verification of all these records to confirm that there are no claims, liens, or encumbrances putting the ownership into question. This verification process is essential to allow the title transfer and record the closing to the county's office.

Why Are Title and Escrow Important?

Escrow comes in handy in different areas, but its benefits are particularly useful when it comes to real estate transactions. Few transactions involved such high amounts of money, requiring transparency from buyers and sellers alike. Title and escrow protect the interests of both parties and ensure a satisfying result for everyone involved.

Because title searches are a basic part of the escrow process (and often a requirement from mortgage holders), buyers can go in knowing that the property is clear and that you're doing business with its lawful owner, so the negotiations won't be muddled by someone else's claim.

Beyond that, this is how title and escrow can make things run smoothly:

• They protect clients from illegal and/or dishonest acts with malicious intent. This includes the use of forged documents, price rates that don't reflect the property's value, and scam companies to cut corners during the review process.


• They guarantee that all closing payments are made on time. This includes homeowners and title insurance, mortgage interests, pending property taxes, etc.


• They introduce the option of title insurance to further protect future homeowners from fraud and ownership disputes. Most lenders make title insurance mandatory during the title and escrow process, but you can also have owner's insurance as a requirement in the escrow agreement.


• They provide peace of mind so buyers and sellers can go about their respective tasks without worrying about the escrow funds.

We Help You Follow a Smooth Escrow Process

If you want to buy a property in Florida, you deserve the support of a leading title and escrow company in the area.

A licensed title company can help you complete the most important parts of escrow. Key Title & Escrow, for instance, can help you at many different stages of the process:

• Assist you through the negotiations to define the escrow agreement.


• Oversee the funds in the escrow account.


• Conduct a thorough title search to confirm that you're working with a clear title.


• Help you schedule property inspections.


• Issue the right insurance policy to protect your investment after closing.


• Oversee the closing, check that all requirements are met, and record the closing.

We've served buyers, sellers, and lenders for years, and we never fail to provide a safe, effective process for everyone involved. On top of simplifying all escrow-related tasks, we work hand in hand with renowned real estate agents and homeowner's insurance carriers, so you can count on us to stay up to date with the local market.

Looking for the best title and escrow company to ensure a successful closing? The specialists at Key Title & Escrow are ready to assist you. With our help, you'll ensure that all the requirements in the escrow agreement are met in a timely manner, get the latest technology to review relevant documents, protect your investment, and more. For more information, call (305) 235-4571 or toll-free at (800) 547-0006 and we'll answer all your questions. Remember that you can also contact our specialists via the website's contact form. Key Title & Escrow is the perfect ally to have on your side during your real estate process!