Guides · In plain English
Guides to California escrow
Short, plain guides to the escrow questions that buyers, sellers, heirs and business owners bring to us most often. Each one links to the California laws and agency pages behind it.
Buying or selling a home
From the day the contract is signed to the day the deed records.
Refinances
A new loan on the home you own: the payoff, the signing and your right to cancel.
Sales with extra rules
Estates and trusts, mobile homes, and escrows with no sale at all.
Questions about these guides
Are these guides legal or tax advice?
No. They explain how escrow usually works in California, and they link to the laws and agency pages behind each point. For advice on your own sale, ask an attorney or a CPA. Escrow stays neutral, so it can’t advise either side.
How long will my home escrow take?
Your purchase contract decides. It names the closing date and the deadlines for the deposit, the inspections and the loan. With a loan, the lender must give the buyer the Closing Disclosure, which shows the final loan terms, at least three business days before closing. Once the loan funds, the county usually records the deed the next business day. What sets the length of an escrow.
Already in escrow? What should I do now?
Read each email from us closely. When your escrow officer asks for a signature or a document, send it back as soon as you can. Never send money or bank details until you’ve called us at (714) 544-6525 and checked the instructions. Use the number printed on this website, not one found in a message.
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