California Governor Schwarzenegger acknowledged this October as Escrow Month. With over 20,000 escrows carried out each day in California, the California Escrow Association (CEA) is looking to "de-mystify" the escrow process for California buyers. Home seeking is stressful enough in itself, and then escrow begins! The escrow process is confusing and frustrating to buyers, especially if they are uninformed. To help, the California Escrow Association (CEA) is offering the following tips:

Top 5 Tips to a Smooth Closing

-- Hire a certified professional. There are many intricacies and details involved in the escrow process, as well as many kinds of escrow. Applicable laws change, and new ones are constantly created. It is unwise to consider entering into escrow without the aid of a professional.

-- Come clean and avoid potential problems. If you are a buyer with uncertain credit, let your broker or mortgage lender know ahead of time. They are qualified to assist you in getting your credit rating into shape. Sellers should let escrow officers know in advance about potential hurdles, such as a judgment or lien.

-- Don't be the unwitting cause of delays. To ensure a smooth escrow close, much cooperation and communication is necessary. Always be responsive and timely to the requests of the professionals assisting you.

-- Get insured. Take care of home insurance needs well in advance of the escrow
close.

-- Walk through. Complete all walk-through inspections such as home inspections, swimming pool/spa inspections, roof inspection, and those for termites, dry rot, and other wood-destroying fungi, prior to the escrow close.

For more information from the California Escrow Association, visit their
website http://www.ceaescrow.org/