Yeah, totally agree with your approach—especially the calendar reminders. I've seen clients get burned by assuming escrow will handle everything perfectly. Usually they're solid, but mistakes happen. One thing I'd add is to always double-check the escrow instructions yourself early on. Had a client once whose escrow agent missed a minor detail that almost delayed closing...luckily we caught it in time. A quick skim through the paperwork upfront can save headaches later.
Couldn't agree more about double-checking escrow instructions—it's surprising how often those little details slip through. Escrow agents are usually pretty sharp, but they're juggling a lot, and mistakes happen. I always remind my clients: escrow is there to facilitate the process, not babysit every detail. Had a client once whose escrow agent accidentally overlooked a property tax adjustment...nothing huge, but enough to cause some last-minute scrambling. Luckily, we caught it early enough to fix without delaying closing.
Also, while calendar reminders are great, I usually recommend clients set their own personal deadlines a few days ahead of the official ones. Gives everyone breathing room if something unexpected pops up (and let's be real, something always does...). Better safe than sorry, right?
Good point about setting personal deadlines, but honestly, shouldn't escrow agents be catching these things themselves? I get they're busy, but we're paying them to handle exactly these details. Had a similar issue once—agent missed HOA fees adjustment. Wasn't huge either, but still annoying. Makes me wonder if there's a better way to hold escrow companies accountable without micromanaging every step...anyone found a good balance there?
Totally agree escrow agents should ideally catch these things—it's literally their job to handle the details. But from experience, I've found that even the best escrow companies can slip up occasionally. They're juggling multiple closings at once, and unfortunately, smaller adjustments like HOA fees or minor tax changes sometimes fall through the cracks.
One thing I've seen work pretty well is requesting a detailed breakdown or checklist from the escrow agent early on. It doesn't mean micromanaging every step yourself, but it does give you a quick reference point to glance over periodically. If something seems off or missing, you can flag it early without feeling like you're breathing down their neck.
Also, don't hesitate to bring up accountability directly with your escrow company. A polite but firm conversation about expectations can go a long way. Most reputable companies appreciate feedback and will step up their game if they know you're paying attention.
"One thing I've seen work pretty well is requesting a detailed breakdown or checklist from the escrow agent early on."
That's a great tip, thanks! As a first-time buyer, it's easy to feel overwhelmed... Did you find escrow agents generally receptive when you asked for that checklist, or did it depend on the company?
