Escrow can also be an account that is created at the time of a mortgage closing which includes future homeowners' insurance and property tax payments. In the typical escrow, the depositor is required to entrust money or property with an escrow agent.You pay about 11 months worth of property taxes at closing to establish your escrow account. This pays any taxes due within the time frame of closing. An overview of the NYC real estate taxes you'll have to face when buying, selling or simply maintaining a property in New York City. Generally, mortgage escrow accounts are used to collect and pay property taxes and insurance payments on a home. If none of the taxes have been paid, the seller should be charged a prorated share with the amount placed in escrow. Learn the steps in a real estate transaction and what happens with sale of property. Find a real estate lawyer. There are several ways you can pay your property taxes.