The deposit goes to escrow, not to the seller
For Sale By Owner escrow
Selling without an agent? We keep it on track.
Selling without an agent? We help you meet the legal requirements and close safely.
Why use escrow
Selling it yourself, with a neutral holder for the money.
Few buyers send a deposit straight to a seller. Here is what escrow changes.
| Topic | Selling without escrow | With Lightspeed Escrow |
|---|---|---|
| Earnest money deposit | The buyer has to trust you with it | Held by a licensed, neutral escrow company |
| Escrow instructions | You draft and track every condition | Drafted and managed for both parties |
| Legal requirements | Local, state and federal rules to keep up with | Conditions verified before anything is released |
| Closing documents | You coordinate signatures and deadlines | Guided from the first instructions to the last signature |
| Fees | — | Competitive and upfront, no last-minute surprises |
Who holds the earnest money
A neutral holder between buyer and seller.
The deposit sits with escrow, not with either side, until the terms of the sale are met.
Party
Buyer
Deposits the earnest money
Deposit
Neutral
Escrow
Holds the funds until the terms are met
Released at closing
Party
Seller
Receives the proceeds
Buying an FSBO home, in four steps
Write the contract
Negotiate and write it with legal help.
Open escrow
With a licensed escrow company.
Deposit the earnest money
Into escrow, not to the seller.
Let escrow close it
Documents, costs and the timeline.
FSBO legal requirements
The rules change. We keep up with them for you.
FSBO contracts must meet local, state and federal rules.
Advise you on the process
What happens at each step, before you sign anything.
Draft and manage the escrow instructions
Written for both parties, so every condition is clear.
Verify the legal conditions
Checked before any funds or documents are released.
Coordinate all parties
Buyer, seller, lender and anyone else in the transaction.
FAQ
FSBO escrow questions
Plain answers. For fees and your specific situation, talk to an escrow officer.
- It can save on commissions, but the paperwork is on you. Escrow reduces the risk.
- Negotiate the terms with the seller and put them in a written contract with the help of a legal professional. Then open escrow with a licensed escrow company to hold your earnest money deposit. The escrow officer guides you through the closing documents, inspections, closing costs and the timeline, so funds are disbursed safely and the sale closes without agents.
- A neutral third party, such as a licensed escrow company, holds the buyer's earnest money deposit in an escrow account until the terms of the sale are met. That protects both the buyer and the seller.
- It securely holds all funds, including deposits and closing cost payments, until the transaction meets every contractual condition. Funds are then disbursed to the seller, with proper documentation for both parties along the way.
- Usually the seller, with guidance from a real estate lawyer so it complies with state and federal rules. Without agents involved, the escrow company makes sure the contract is carried out correctly as part of the escrow process.
Start your escrow
Have a transaction coming up?
Answer three short questions. An escrow officer calls you back.
Licensed by the California DFPI- Member of the Escrow Institute of California
- Service in English and Español
Prefer to talk?(626) 655-7839