What Is Escrow?

Escrow is a financial arrangement in which two parties enlist a “third party” (who is neither the buyer nor the seller) to temporarily hold money, paperwork, or other assets for a transaction on their behalf before the transaction has been finalized.

How Does An Escrow Work?

Many mortgage lenders hold money in escrow to pay property taxes and insurance. Each month, you pay a portion of the estimated annual costs along with your principal and interest. At the end of the year, the lender adjusts your monthly escrow amount based on the actual tax and insurance bills.