What?
What’s the best option for homebuyers and sellers? At Forefront Escrow, we believe in doing one thing only (…escrow!) and doing it exceptionally well. Other escrow providers may offer escrow services “on the side” but for us, escrow is always the main course!
In California, the rules around “escrow” are found in the California Financial Code (Section 17000 et seq. if you’re really interested!).
1
A licensed escrow company. That’s what we are – after meeting capital requirements, passing background checks, posting bonds and more, we were approved by the State of California to hold an escrow license that allows us to handle real estate escrows statewide. To keep that license in good standing, we have to pass annual audits, ensure that all of our employees are bonded and fingerprinted, and remain in compliance with all aspects of the escrow law.
2
A licensed title company. In some parts of California, title companies not only issue title insurance, but they also handle escrows. The license issued to title companies by the California Department of Insurance can include authority to handle escrows if the title company posts a bond.
3
A real estate broker. The broker representing the buyer or seller in a given purchase and sale transaction is allowed to handle the escrow for that transaction in accordance with rules set out in the real estate law (California Business and Professions Code 10000 et seq.).
