Escrow officer
The person at a title or escrow company who runs the transaction. They collect signatures, hold funds, disburse money, and record the deed.
Every term like this one lights up in the step you're on.
Free to set up. No credit card.Part 1 of 4
Why a seller cares
The escrow officer is the person who actually runs your closing: they gather signatures, hold the money, pay off the mortgage and record the deed. Most of your closing-week questions go to them.
Part 2 of 4
A simple example
Your escrow officer emails on Monday for your mortgage payoff authorization and your forwarding address, and calls Friday to say the deed has recorded.
| The question | What the escrow officer does |
|---|---|
| When can I get my money? | Disburses proceeds once the deed records and the funds have cleared |
| What is my payoff? | Orders it from your lender and puts it on the settlement statement |
| The buyer wants to close a day early | Reschedules the signing if both sides and the lender agree |
The escrow officer is neutral, and the neutral person is the one holding the money.
Part 3 of 4
What people get wrong
That the escrow officer works for the buyer or the seller. They work for the transaction, and they will not take a side.
Part 4 of 4 · where to read next
Where it appears in the sale
What a definition is, and what it isn't
Keighbor is a software company, not a law firm, brokerage, or tax adviser. This is general information, not legal, tax, financial, or real estate advice about your sale. Your situation may differ. Before acting on a contract, disclosure, title, tax, or pricing question, ask an appropriately licensed professional in your state.
Written and researched by Keighbor Research · drawn from the reference glossary · how we research and check what we publish
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