Be sure to choose an escrow company that serves in the area in which you are making a real estate transaction. You need to ensure the company you choose is familiar with the real estate market in the area you are doing the transaction. Many counties and states have slight differences in the way real estate transactions are done.
For example, the escrow process in California differs between Northern and Southern California as well as between counties. In Northern California, title companies handle closings through escrow, while escrow companies handle them in Southern California.
Also, in Southern California the sellers pay the title insurance and transfer tax while the buyer and seller split the escrow fees. However, in some Northern California counties, the buyer and sellers split the title insurance and escrow fees, while in other counties the sellers pay 75% and buyers only pay 25%.
Each county in California also has its own transfer tax, some have their own additional charges, and some differ in the time it takes to close on a house. For example, the average days to close on a house in San Diego is 55 days, compared to the national average of 30-45 days.
So, make sure you choose a company that is familiar with all these slight differences per area.