An escrow process begins after the seller has accepted a purchase offer, opening the negotiations to hash out an agreement with the buyer. Buyers need to check that their escrow agent has a valid license and enough insurance to protect the money they're holding.Escrow is an important part of closing real estate transactions that ensures both buyers and sellers are protected. Escrow is a financial arrangement that protects both the buyer and the seller from fraud or theft. In Florida, neither a buyer nor a seller involved in a real estate transaction is legally required to utilize the services of an escrow company. The escrow holder has the responsibility of seeing that the terms are carried out. Buyers and sellers agree on the escrow instructions at the start of the process, before the earnest payment gets transferred into the escrow funds. How Long Does It Usually Take to Complete a Real Estate Transaction? What happens after the buyer and seller have agreed to the price terms and closing date ? Usually the seller's agent will deposit the earnest money in a trust or escrow account until closing.