How to successfully close a new home sale escrow transaction
First, with the assistance of the escrow company, you will set up the terms of the escrow agreement with the buyer of the new home.
- The buyer will deposit all the agreed-upon funds into the escrow account, covering the full sales amount of the home, plus any additional fees.
- The buyer will then present all relevant documentation to the escrow company to uphold the real-estate agreement.
- The seller will deposit a deed to the property that names the buyer as the owner of the new home.
- *This deed is crafted by the escrow company to meet all federal and state guidelines.
- Then, the seller will present any additional required documentation to close the new home sale.
- If the above conditions are met within the stated escrow timeline, the transaction closes and the property ownership is recorded to the new buyer. READ MORE
You’ve Got a Buyer! What Next?
Hooray! You’ve found a buyer for your home. You’re done, right?
Not quite. All you have to do now is get yourself—and your house—ready to close, and we’re here to help. Let’s dive in!
Earnest money
When the buyer makes an offer on your house and you accept, the buyer will write you a check for a deposit known as earnest money.
Everyone at some point gets a bit puzzled by earnest money. It comes down to a simple idea: This is money you put forward that proves that you are earnest about your intentions to move forward on the deal.
These funds are held by a third party until you close the deal; on average, buyers pay about 1% to 2% of the offer amount. READ MORE
Reasons Why a Home Might Fall Out of Escrow
The process of buying or selling a home can be an exhilarating time! For both buyers and sellers, the journey is full of various emotions and plenty of twists and turns. It’s no surprise given how many nuances, and steps are involved, and the people who play a role in the transaction.
And, while things typically work out in the end, there are times when a home might fall out of escrow. Being educated about these scenarios can help you be prepared and complete your due diligence to the best of your ability from day one.
Let’s take a look at some of the top reasons a home might fall out of escrow.
Buyer Isn’t Approved For a Mortgage
This is a common scenario where buyers ultimately are not approved for their mortgage. They may provide your REALTOR® with a pre-approval letter, but there is no guarantee that the mortgage will be approved…
Ralene Nelson, REALTOR®
OPEN HOUSE – Saturday 12:00 – 3:00pm
NEW PRICE – 307 Birch Ridge Dr, Rio Vista
2 bed/2 bath/1,154sqft/4,321sqft Lot
NEW PRICE $415,000 – Updated Carmel model, in the active adult community of Trilogy. Just bring your furniture to this lovely 2 bedroom, 2 bath home with prepaid solar. Sellers have just finished with new interior paint, laminate flooring w/wider baseboards throughout, & painted cabinets. Kitchen has white cabinets, granite counters, electric stove top, stainless appliances & 2 pantries. Primary bedroom closet has built-in organizer & 2nd bath has walk-in tub w/shower over. Laundry room has additional storage, & 55 gal hot water heater. Shutters through out makes this a very cozy home. Fenced back yard for your pet and patio with all weather cover . This makes for a cozy backyard, and your within walking distance to the dog park & path around the lake. Water softner & reverse osmosis. This community offers many ammenities & social clubs, such as, tennis, bocce ball courts, pickle ball, beautiful gym overlooking the golf course, 2 swimming pools & spas, billiards, & computer room. Have coffee or lunch in the cafe & lunch/dinner at the Monarch Restaurant. Various clubs such as cycling, RV, dancing, drama & more. Refrigerator, washer/dryer convey with sale. READ MORE
PENDING SALE – 623 California St, Rio Vista
2 bed/1 bath/934sqft/4,792sqft lot

Price Reduced to $315,000 – Adorable cottage/bungalow, 2 bedroom, 1 bath and has been updated. Larger backyard with patio & raised garden beds for your vegetables. The kitchen has been remodeled & there is an inside laundry & single car garage. Convenient location, walk to town for breakfast, snack, and/or dinner. READ MORE
FOR SALE – 718 Allender Wy. Rio Vista
3 bd/2 bth/1346sf

OPEN HOUSE – Sunday 1:30 – 3:30pm
FOR SALE – 295 Sage Meadows Drio Vista
3bed/3.5bath/2,367sqft/6,669sqft lotF

FOR SALE – 731 Turnberry Ter Rio Vista
2 bed/2 bath/1410 sqft

$410,000 – NO BONDS-Spinnaker model with private backyard. This 2 bedroom, 2 bath home feels like a very relaxing cottage for a retirement home. The patio provides a quiet place for morning coffee & afternoon beverage. Den has built-in book/curio shelves & bay window. The Master bedroom has a bay window, which creates room for a sitting area. New hot water heater. Enjoy amenities such as golf, tennis, bocce, pools/spas & a new gym, and more. READ MORE
FOR SALE – 710 Pinehurst Dr. Rio Vista
2bed/2bath/2,065sqft/5,345sqft lot
NEW PRICE $445,900 – Solar owned & No Bonds!! Can’t get much better, this Hatteras model located in the Rio Vista Active Adult Community, Trilogy, offers drought-resistant landscaping & cozy backyard. Start the day with coffee on the patio & watch the sunset on the front porch. This home has 2 bedrooms, 2 baths with blinds throughout. The home has a living room/dining room combo and a family room/kitchen with tile floors in the kitchen/nook. Full patio with cover & is very private. The laundry room has a sink, washer/dryer convey with the sale, as well as refrigerators. Walking distance to Delta clubhouse, pro shop & Monarch Restaurant. Trilogy offers 2 swimming pools/spas, a cafe & restaurant, tennis courts, bocce ball courts, pickle ball, billiards & more. Just bring your furniture and enjoy your retirement life. READ MORE
OPEN HOUSE – Saturday 1:30 – 3:30pm
NEW PRICE – 689 Waterwood Dr, Rio Vista
2 bed/2 bath/1,837sqft/5,436sqft lot

NEW PRICE $550,000 – Breathtaking views as you step into this beautiful home, located on the 11th green & pond. Popular Reflect model with quartz counters, white cabinets, 5 burner gas stove top & refrigerator are included. Tile floors with carpet in bedrooms. A double-sided gas fireplace makes for a cozy den & living room. The primary bath has double sinks with a walk-in shower with w/bench seating. Shutters throughout the home. Walk out either slider onto the covered patio that is the full length of the home. Small piece of turf for your pet, low maintenance landscape (front & back) & fenced. The backyard is lovely & a great place for a BBQ. Washer/dryer are included & there’s a laundry tub in the garage. Prepaid solar lease, transferrable to the buyer for the remaining years of the lease. Just bring your furniture and enjoy all the amenities, such as 2 swimming pools/spas, bocce ball courts, tennis & pickle ball courts, horseshoes, billiards, a library, a computer room, etc. So many activities to enjoy, you can be as busy as you want or idle. There is a club for just about all your hobbies. READ MORE
FOR SALE – 181 Cedar Ridge Dr. Rio Vista
2 bed/2 bath/1,433sqft

Events in Northern California this Weekend
2023 Dixon Rotary Crab Feed
Sat, February 25, 2023, 6:00 PM – 11:30 PM PST
Dixon May Fair – Madden Hall 655 South 1st Street Dixon, CA
Almond Blossom Festival
Sun, Feb 26, 11 AM
Mistlin Sports Park, 1201 River Rd, Ripon
The Almond Blossom Festival is Ripon’s largest tradition of the year with an entire weekend of celebrations and events. Beginning in 1962, the Almond Blossom Festival is steeped in history and has become more than just a festival, but a season of tradition, memories, and Ripon comradery.
The Almond Blossom Festival is always the last FULL weekend of February with this year’s dates ranging from Thursday, February 23rd- Sunday, February 26th, 2023. There are many events that happen around Ripon that weekend, but the festival itself is put on and run by the Ripon Chamber of Commerce. Chamber events include- The Miss Almond Blossom/Miss Ripon competition (see Miss Ripon Page for more information), the carnival at Mistlin Sports Park, the vendor fair at Mistlin Sports Park, the Fun Run, the Almond Blossom Parade, and the Diaper Derby.
This year we are proud to celebrate the 61st anniversary of the Almond Blossom Festival and honor the traditions and history of our town. READ MORE
Sacramento Coin Show
Fri, Feb 24, 10 AM – Sat, Feb 25, 6 PM
Lions Gate Hotel, 3410 Westover St, McClellan Park, CA
The next Sacramento Coin Show is Feb 24th – 25th, 2023 at the Lions Gate Hotel in McClellan, CA. Show hours: See below. For more information call the Sacramento Coin Show at (916) 317-9055
The Lions Gate Hotel is located in the McClellan Business Park, which used to be the McClellan Air Force Base. Conveniently located 1.2 miles North on Watt Ave from I-80. With more than 50 tables of coins and currency, the Sacramento Coin show is a “must-attend” event. Collectors and dealers from across the West frequent this show. Don’t miss any of these shows! READ MORE
Walnut Festival Annual Crab Feed
Sat, Feb 25, 6 – 9 PM
Center Concord, 5298 Clayton Rd, Concord
17th Annual Crab, Sat Feb 25th, Tri-Tip, Salad, Pasta & Bread. Cocktails 6pm, Dinner 7pm raffles, silent auction, sports memorabilia, 50/50 & unlock the cash. Centre Concord. Tickets are $70, and Children $30.