Connect Escrow, Inc. an Independent Escrow, was formed to streamline the escrow services for California Real Estate. We are a green company with a technology imprint. We offer long-term savings by implementing:

• Systems to track and flag properties and alert closer’s of potential problems;
• Sufficient and well-trained staff to keep up with volume of work;
• Quality control plans to audit property files on a daily, weekly and monthly basis;
• Staff committed to seeking out early closings for all buyers and sellers
• Staff trained to accurately record all facets of the closing process.

You have a choice and we thank you for choosing Connect Escrow, Inc. We are the key to your successful transactions.

Transaction Type (Specialize in)

Residential Sale Escrows

Besides being the most common type of “Real Property” transfer, a Residential Sale Escrow, is usually much more than simply a financial transaction to the parties involved. For most of us, residential properties are not only our “homes” but often our single largest financial asset. Escrow has become a key factor in the successful closing of a Residential Sale and choosing the right escrow company is imperative. Choose Connect Escrow.

Mobile Home Escrows

Mobile Home Escrows are a unique type of sale escrow, distinctly different from “real property” escrows such as Residential Sale Escrows. Mobile Home Escrows involve “personal property” exclusively and require conveyance with a Bill of Sale rather than a Grant Deed. Similarly, registration is accomplished not by recording in the County, but by filing with the California Department of Housing and Community Development (the “HCD”). There are other major differences as well and many Escrow Officers are not adequately trained to perform Mobile Home Escrows. At Connect Escrow we have Escrow Officers with the training and experience you need to serve all your mobile home needs.

1031 Exchanges

A section of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service Code allows investors to defer capital gains taxes on any exchange of like-kind properties for business and/or investment purposes. When the transfer is performed properly, taxes on capital gains are deferred. Great care needs to be taken with regard to the transfer of money to avoid an immediate tax liability. There are many types of exchanges including, but not limited to simultaneous, delayed, and reverse. Once again, great care should be taken in choosing your service providers, both Escrow Holders and intermediaries. Choose Connect Escrow for your Escrow Holder.

Bulk Transfers

Another type of “personal property” escrow is a Bulk Transfer. Typically, a Bulk Transfer involves the sale of a business inventory, business assets and can also be of an individual or company. Escrow serves to protect the interests of not only the Buyer and Seller, but also the interest of unsecured creditors. Knowledge of the law in regard to Bulk Transfers is vital and we at Connect Escrow guarantee to have Escrow Officers with the knowledge and many years of experience to guide you.

Commercial Sales

Commercial Sales are typically “real property” sales, but larger in value and more complex than normal Residential Sales. These escrows can include strip malls, apartments, office buildings, hotels, motels, shopping centers, vacant land, farm lands and more. In addition to the Buyer, Seller and Realtors, quite often the Escrow Holder will be working with attorneys and lessees. You need to work with an Escrow Officer who has worked with this type of escrow before. At Connect Escrow, our Escrow Officer has the commercial experience.

Refinance & Loan Escrows

What used to be thought of as a “simple” escrow has become exponentially more complex in recent years. There are countless new laws and regulations affecting Refinances and Loan Escrows, not the least of which was the 2010 RESPA Reform, the first major revision since 1975 and the new Consumer’s Financial Protection Bureau. As a result, getting the new lender what they require, when they need it has become a real challenge. Not just any Escrow Officer will suffice, you need the experts at Connect Escrow

For Sale by Owner (FSBO’S)

Homeowners may elect to sell their homes without using a Realtor. Although we cannot give legal advice and must maintain our neutrality between the Buyer and Seller, Connect Escrow can guide you through the steps necessary to complete the sale. The best way to start is by the principals, usually the Seller, obtaining a standard real estate sales contract, which covers all the legal aspects of the sale. These contracts can be obtained on the internet and sometimes are even offered for sale by the local Board of Realtors. It is important to remember that Real Estate contracts should be detailed, in writing and that Escrow Instructions only cover a few of the many aspects of a typical sale. Let our Escrow Officers at Connect Escrow guide you through the Escrow process.

Short-Sales

In the last few years a new type of Residential Sale has emerged. It is called a Short-Sale and is a sale wherein the existing lender is owed more than the property is worth and can be sold for. Not all properties will qualify for a Short-Sale, but if they do, most often the existing lender will release their interest in the property for less than they are owed. However, most often these lenders will make the Seller “qualify” for the Short-Sale before granting it. Further, the lenders may or may not approve all of the Seller’s “normal” closing costs or even agree to the selling price in the contract. Negotiating with these lenders has become a whole new industry and Escrow Officers involved in these Sales must understand how to deal with not only these Short-Sale lenders but also independent negotiators who are quite often hired by the Seller. We have the expertise you need at Connect Escrow.

REO Sales

REO is short for “Real Estate Owned”, a term used by banks and lenders to describe property they own, usually acquired through the foreclosure process. When the bank or lender sells these properties, the sale is typically called an REO Sale. The special needs of the bank or lender as a Seller, are completely different than those of a typical private party Seller. Once again, the experience and expertise needed to close these escrows is available at Connect Escrow.