Realtor vs. Lender vs. Escrow: Who Does What When Buying a Home? | 1 Minute Real Estate #04

Realtor vs. Lender vs. Escrow: Who Does What?

Buying a home in the United States involves several professionals working together. Understanding each role helps you stay informed, make better decisions, and avoid confusion during the transaction.

🔹 Realtor — Your Advocate and Negotiator

Your Realtor represents your interests throughout the entire process:

• Searches for properties matching your criteria
• Advises on fair pricing using market data (CMA)
• Writes and negotiates your offer
• Coordinates inspections, appraisals, and timelines
• Guides you all the way through closing day

🔹 Lender — Your Financing Partner

The lender is the bank or mortgage company that funds your home purchase:

• Reviews your income, credit score, and financial profile
• Issues pre-approval letters
• Proposes loan options with interest rates and terms
• Processes the final loan for closing

🔹 Escrow — The Neutral Third Party

Escrow acts as a trusted intermediary between buyer and seller:

• Holds the earnest money deposit securely
• Manages all documents and contracts
• Ensures all conditions (inspections, repairs, loan approval) are met
• Facilitates the final transfer of ownership

Why This Matters

When all three parties — Realtor, Lender, and Escrow — work in sync, your transaction is transparent, secure, and less likely to hit unexpected problems.

Follow Vicky Nga Pham for practical, easy-to-understand real estate knowledge you can use when buying or investing in property in the U.S.