Buying a home in Seville should feel exciting, not confusing. If title and escrow terms have you wondering what happens next, you are not alone. You want a smooth closing, clear numbers, and confidence that your new Chandler home is truly yours. In this guide, you will learn how Arizona title and escrow work, what you will sign, the timeline to expect, HOA resale details unique to Seville, and practical tips to keep your closing on track. Let’s dive in.
How escrow works in Arizona
In Arizona, escrow is typically handled by a title company. The escrow officer holds your earnest money and closing funds, prepares your final figures, coordinates lien payoffs, orders title work and recording, and disburses funds when the sale records. The same company usually issues your title insurance policies after recording.
Your role as the buyer is to deposit earnest money, complete inspections and loan conditions, and sign closing documents. The seller signs the deed and other seller documents, and escrow pays off any existing mortgages and liens from sale proceeds.
If you are financing, your lender orders the appraisal, issues loan documents, and requires a lender’s title insurance policy. Your real estate agent coordinates the contract and contingencies and works with escrow to keep deadlines moving. In Seville’s planned community, the HOA or its management company provides the required resale disclosures for your purchase.
Seville buyer timeline
Every escrow is unique, but most Seville resales close in about 30 to 45 days. Here is the typical flow so you can plan with confidence:
- Day 0: Contract accepted and escrow opened. Earnest money is deposited and the title search begins.
- Days 1 to 7: Title company provides a preliminary title commitment that lists recorded items like easements, covenants, and liens.
- Days 1 to 10: Inspections happen. Escrow or your agent orders the HOA resale package. Delivery can take several days to a few weeks depending on the HOA.
- Days 5 to 21: Loan processing, appraisal, and underwriting. Your lender must provide your Closing Disclosure at least 3 business days before closing.
- Variable: Title cures and payoffs. The title company clears any liens or defects before recording.
- Final days: You review final figures, confirm wire details with escrow, and complete your final walkthrough.
- Closing day: You sign documents, wire funds, the lender funds your loan, escrow records the deed with Maricopa County, and then disburses funds. Title insurance policies are issued after recording.
What you will sign at closing
As a buyer, you will typically sign the Closing Disclosure or settlement statement, your promissory note and deed of trust, and title-related affidavits or acknowledgments. If any survey coverage or endorsements are requested, you may sign related documents.
The seller signs the deed transferring title to you, a seller settlement statement, payoff authorizations, and required affidavits. The title company prepares recording documents, files the affidavit of property value with the deed, and issues the final title insurance policies after recording.
Title insurance basics
You will hear about two title insurance policies. The owner’s policy protects your equity against covered title defects that existed before you took ownership. The lender’s policy protects the lender’s loan amount and is usually required when you finance.
Coverage is subject to policy terms and exceptions, which are listed in the preliminary title commitment. Common exceptions include recorded easements, covenants, or matters a current survey would reveal. Items created after your policy date, zoning issues, and certain unrecorded claims are typically not covered unless you add endorsements.
If you are concerned about boundary lines or potential encroachments, ask about a current survey or a survey endorsement to the title policy. This is especially helpful when improvements sit close to lot lines.
HOA resale package in Seville
Seville is a planned community, so HOA resale documents are part of nearly every resale. The resale package usually includes CC&Rs, bylaws, rules, financial statements, assessment status, fees due, and any special assessments. Turn times vary by management company, from a few days to several weeks.
Budget for HOA-related charges that may include a resale package fee, a transfer fee, and any required inspections or certificates. Amounts vary by association. Ordering the resale package early helps prevent closing delays.
Fees and who pays what
In much of Maricopa County, a common custom is for the seller to pay for the owner’s title insurance policy and for the buyer to pay the lender’s policy and loan-related fees. This is a custom, not a rule. Your purchase contract determines who pays which fees.
Escrow will prorate property taxes, HOA dues, and similar items so each party pays their share for the period they own the home. Maricopa County records your deed and deed of trust, and the title company files the required affidavit of property value. Arizona does not have a statewide real estate transfer tax, though county forms and reporting are required.
Wire safety and risk management
Wire fraud is a real risk in real estate. Before sending any funds, call your escrow officer using a phone number you verify independently. Do not rely solely on email for wire instructions, and never click unexpected links. Take a pause and confirm every time wires are involved.
Practical checklist for Seville buyers
Early in escrow:
- Confirm escrow contact info and deposit your earnest money.
- Ask who ordered the HOA resale package and when it should arrive.
- Confirm who pays for the owner’s title policy per your contract.
- Coordinate appraisal scheduling with your lender.
Mid-escrow:
- Review the preliminary title commitment and ask about any exceptions.
- Complete inspections and document any agreed repairs.
- Ensure seller payoffs and lien releases are being obtained by title.
Pre-closing:
- Verify wire instructions by phone with your escrow officer.
- Review your Closing Disclosure and ask about any unclear fees.
- Complete your final walkthrough and confirm condition.
Closing day:
- Bring valid ID and have proof of wired funds or a cashier’s check if allowed.
- Keep copies of all signed documents and ask escrow for the recorded deed confirmation.
Closing and recording in Maricopa County
On closing day, you will sign at the title office or with a mobile notary. Once your lender funds and escrow receives any required cash to close, the title company submits your deed and deed of trust to the Maricopa County Recorder. Electronic recording can be fast, but timing varies day to day. After recording, escrow disburses funds and issues the owner’s and lender’s title policies.
Common snags and how to avoid them
- HOA resale delays: Order the resale package as soon as you go under contract and build some time into your contingency dates.
- Appraisal timing: Keep your lender updated on your target close date and be responsive to any document requests.
- Title defects: If liens or other issues are discovered, the title company works to clear them. Serious issues may require a brief delay or an escrow holdback. Your contract may allow you to cancel if defects are not cured.
Buying in Seville should feel clear and predictable. With the right plan, you can move from offer to recording without surprises. If you want a friendly, detail-focused guide who keeps your risk low and your timeline tight, I am here to help.
Ready to talk through your Seville purchase? Connect with Tiffany Hardison to schedule a free consultation.
FAQs
What does escrow do for a Chandler home purchase?
- The escrow officer holds funds, prepares closing statements, coordinates payoffs, orders title work and recording, and disburses money after the deed records.
What is included in a Seville HOA resale package?
- Expect CC&Rs, bylaws, rules, assessment status, fee schedules, and any special assessment disclosures provided by the HOA or its management company.
Who pays for the owner’s title policy in Maricopa County?
- Local custom often has the seller pay for the owner’s policy and the buyer pay loan-related fees, but payment is negotiable and set in your purchase contract.
When do I get my Closing Disclosure for an Arizona loan?
- Your lender must deliver the Closing Disclosure at least 3 business days before closing, which often sets the earliest possible signing date.
How are property taxes and HOA dues handled at closing in Arizona?
- Escrow prorates taxes and HOA dues so each party pays their fair share for the time they own the home, based on county cycles and your contract.
What happens if a title issue is found before recording?
- The title company works to clear the defect. If it cannot be cured in time, options include delaying closing, using an escrow holdback, or canceling per contract terms.
