To protect both the buyer and seller, earnest money is held in escrow with our attorney’s office as the neutral third party. Once an offer is accepted, the escrow agreement is completed, buyer wires the deposit by the contract deadline (typically 3 business days), and funds remain securely held throughout the process. At closing, the escrow deposit is applied per the escrow agreement (typically credited toward the buyer’s remaining purchase funds). If the transaction does not close, the attorney’s office disburses funds according to the terms of the agreement and required written authorizations. Our brokerage coordinates timelines and communication throughout the process while the attorney’s office handles the secure custody and release of funds.