What is Escrow? A Guide for Washington Homebuyers
November 11, 2026
Buying a home is one of the biggest investments you'll ever make, and escrow is here to help protect it. When you buy or sell property, there are a lot of moving parts: money, documents and promises that need to be kept. An independent third party called the escrow holder steps in to oversee the process.
Ticor Title provides title and escrow services for buyers and sellers throughout King, Snohomish, Pierce and Kitsap counties. Here is an introduction to the escrow process and the professionals involved in your transaction.
The escrow holder does not take sides. Their responsibility is to carry out the instructions agreed to by both parties. Money and documents are held in trust until closing.
The escrow assistant organizes and reviews necessary documents for the escrow or loan file. They coordinate with multiple parties, including agents, lenders and title officers, to help ensure everything needed for closing is in place before deadlines.
Working closely with the escrow officer, the junior closer helps gather final documents, confirm closing figures and prepare the file for completion.
Escrow establishes communication with the buyer's lender, if any. The team reviews the title report, including ownership, loans to be paid off, property taxes, liens and judgments. The preliminary title report is delivered to the parties for review.
Escrow confirms the closing date and prepares documents after loan documents arrive from the lender, if any. Signing appointments are scheduled for the buyer and seller, and required funds are deposited with escrow.
Documents are recorded in the County Records Office, and escrow disburses funds, including seller proceeds, loans to be paid off and other required invoices.
Ticor Title provides title and escrow services for buyers and sellers throughout King, Snohomish, Pierce and Kitsap counties. Here is an introduction to the escrow process and the professionals involved in your transaction.
What is escrow?
Escrow is like a neutral middle ground. The role of the escrow agent is to act as a neutral third party to fulfill the terms of a Real Estate Purchase and Sale Agreement (PSA) and facilitate a smooth transfer of ownership from seller to buyer.The escrow holder does not take sides. Their responsibility is to carry out the instructions agreed to by both parties. Money and documents are held in trust until closing.
What does the escrow officer do?
The escrow officer acts as a neutral third party who manages the transaction details. They hold funds, collect signatures and prepare closing documents.The escrow assistant organizes and reviews necessary documents for the escrow or loan file. They coordinate with multiple parties, including agents, lenders and title officers, to help ensure everything needed for closing is in place before deadlines.
Working closely with the escrow officer, the junior closer helps gather final documents, confirm closing figures and prepare the file for completion.
How does escrow work in Washington?
The process begins when the purchase and sale agreement and earnest money deposit are delivered to escrow. Escrow reviews the agreement for conditions and requirements to close, and orders and reviews the preliminary title report.Escrow establishes communication with the buyer's lender, if any. The team reviews the title report, including ownership, loans to be paid off, property taxes, liens and judgments. The preliminary title report is delivered to the parties for review.
Escrow confirms the closing date and prepares documents after loan documents arrive from the lender, if any. Signing appointments are scheduled for the buyer and seller, and required funds are deposited with escrow.
Documents are recorded in the County Records Office, and escrow disburses funds, including seller proceeds, loans to be paid off and other required invoices.