What exactly is escrow? Simple put is when one party delivers to another party an “instrument” of some kind ,when the particular conditions are met. It’s the holding pattern prior to a “deal” being completed.
This a very important part of buying real estate, in that the escrow company will safeguard the funds until every part of the contract is fulfilled. The contract being the purchase agreement that was initiated between the principles of the escrow. Then and only then does the escrow company distribute the funds according to the contract instructions.
Read more concerning who chooses an escrow company, what needs to be done during escrow, etc… at: http://www.realestateabc.com/homeguide/Escrow.htm