Most financed escrows are 21 to 30 days. All cash can be faster, sometimes 10 to 14 days. It really depends on the loan, inspections, and how prepared everyone is going in. The more we handle upfront, the smoother and quicker it usually is.

This is one of those Bay Area quirks. In San Mateo County, buyers typically pay escrow and owner’s title. In Santa Clara County, sellers usually do. In both counties, the buyer pays for the lender’s title policy. These are customs, not laws, and everything is negotiable.

 In our market, 3 percent of the purchase price is very common. That’s basically the standard in California. You typically have 1 business day after acceptance to get that deposit into escrow. It’s your way of showing you’re serious.

It means your lender has already reviewed your income, assets, and credit with an underwriter, not just run numbers through a calculator. In Silicon Valley, this makes your offer much stronger because the seller sees you as less of a financing risk.

Because it tells us what actually transfers with the property. Easements, liens, ownership type, HOA restrictions, all of it. It’s not just paperwork. It protects you from surprises.

It’s not another inspection. It’s just your chance to confirm the home is in the same condition and that agreed repairs were completed. Think of it as a final check before you sign and fund.

 As of March 1, 2026, if you’re buying all cash through a trust or LLC, escrow has to report the beneficial owners behind it. You can’t stay anonymous through an entity anymore. So if you’re using a trust, have your documents ready early so we don’t delay closing.

 Because wire fraud is very real! Hackers target real estate transactions constantly. Never wire funds based on email instructions alone. Always call escrow at a verified number and confirm verbally. It’s one of those non negotiable safety rules.

Well, because we live in California! Fault lines, hillsides, wildfire zones… it’s part of the deal. Almost every Bay Area property will flag for seismic zones, and many will flag for fire zones too. It’s not meant to scare you, it’s just required disclosure. It can impact insurance, though, which is why we review it carefully.

Starting in 2026, if listing photos have been materially altered using AI, that has to be clearly disclosed. So if something significant was changed like adding a pool or removing power lines, it can’t just be posted without transparency. Buyers are also entitled to see the original, unedited photos. The goal is simple: no surprises when you show up in person. What you see online should accurately reflect what you’re walking into.

Yes, absolutely. Even though Peninsula sellers usually provide a disclosure package, you are always welcome to order your own inspections once we are in contract for total peace of mind. I will help you coordinate any additional experts you want so you can move forward with 100% confidence.

On average, most buyers spend 2 to 3 months searching for the right property and another 21-30 days in the escrow and closing phase. Because inventory remains tight in the Peninsula and South Bay, being fully prepared with your financing allows us to move quickly when the right home hits the market.