One More Paper

In reference to Eileen Heyes’ article “Route to the New Home: Follow the Paper Trail,” she failed to mention one of the most important papers the buyer (and seller) will sign, and that is the escrow instructions.

For without a signature on the escrow instructions, the escrow holder would not be able to prepare the settlement statement, order a preliminary title search, order seller’s pay-off statement or buyer’s assumption papers, accept any funds from the buyer, prepare a grant deed or “other escrow related documents,” handle necessary pro-rations, contingencies, close escrow and disburse funds, all of which Heyes says the escrow will do. But we cannot do them unless we, as the escrow holder, prepare an instruction to be signed by the buyers and the sellers authorizing us to perform these acts.

JACKIE PHILLIPS EDDS

Palm Desert