Viva Escrow

06/02/2026

Yes, summer is here, the real estate industry is still struggling, but that won’t stop us from going on vacation. We just have to plan it right! For instance, don’t leave until the transaction is fully closed and the escrow officer has given their blessing! Why? Because sometimes, Murphy’s Law rules! If the transaction has not fully closed, the moment we leave, things happen!

Short video here - https://youtu.be/Kgtgm74zkTQ
Full Escrow Brief here - https://conta.cc/4amGGa2

So, if you or your clients will be taking a break, make sure the transaction is fully closed. Then, have a relaxing time, enjoy and come back rejuvenated!

Email from Viva Escrow! Inc. Don’t Board That Plane Until You Read This   “Your Transaction Isn’t Done Until It’s Done”   Hello, all, Yes, summer is here, the real estate industry is still struggling,

05/04/2026

Congratulations to Artemis 2!

If you think that giving your net proceeds away through escrow is that easy, you will need to think again. We are constricted by Escrow Law and our regulator to issue net proceeds only to those who are on the title ownership.

If you have a transaction which might have this scenario, please check with your tax accountant for his financial counsel first!

See my short video solely on the subject matter and here is the link to my May 2026 Escrow Brief in full: https://conta.cc/4ujputQ

Email from Viva Escrow! Inc. Why We Can’t Issue Checks to Non Owners—Even by Agreement   “Who Gets the Proceeds? Not Non-Owners!”   Congratulations to Artemis 2! Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash Gree

04/02/2026

Happy Easter, hope your eggs are all chocolate covered ones!

Here‘s a Seller who got sticker shock at closing because there were lines upon lines of HOA costs. Why? Well, it’s always good to remember that some projects have more than one Homeowner Association! See my short video solely on the subject matter: https://youtu.be/mSBqEjqvwHg And here is the link to my April 2026 Escrow Brief in full: https://conta.cc/486tLIk

Questions? The Easter Bunny may have some answers!

Email from Viva Escrow! Inc. Those extra line items on your estimate? They’re tied to multiple HOAs.   “The HOA Fee Pile‑Up: Why Your Estimate Statement Looks So Busy”   Photo by ROMAN ODINTSOV Happy

03/03/2026

Hello friends and Happy Chinese New Year of the Horse! Health and happiness to all!

I do sympathize with clients when they receive their estimated closing statement and are confounded by all the costs that go to closing their transaction. Here is one that doesn’t come up often – the private transfer fee. Not a fee that escrow charges, but one that escrow collects!

Follow this link to both my short video of that specific subject and to my full March 2026 Escrow Brief https://conta.cc/47kRRP0

Leave me your comments and questions! I look forward to answering them to the best of my ability!

Email from Viva Escrow! Inc. Ever Heard of Private Transfer Fees? Get the Scoop in My Video!   “The Fee You Didn’t Expect:  Inside the Private Transfer Fee”   “Stand High and Look Far” Hello friends

02/03/2026

Hello, all,

It’s always distressing to be the bearer of difficult news that affect the real estate and escrow industry, but someone has to do it!

Since October of 2025 I have been giving webinars and seminars regarding the upcoming FinCEN AML government Ruling, hoping to reach as many real estate and escrow people as possible. I am doing so again in this month’s Escrow Brief. If you are wondering what the government wants from us now, I hope you will take a few moments to read it at this link https://conta.cc/4qVhi1p and pass it on to others!

I am always available to answer your questions. In solidarity with your concerns, Juliana

Email from Viva Escrow! Inc. What to expect when your escrow is closing on of after March 1st   “When the government steps into your real estate transaction. ”   Photo by Andrea Piacquadio Hello, all,

01/02/2026

Happy New Year and hope the picture included is not a true view of your state of affairs!

A Buyer was shocked at how much additional closing costs he had to bring in when he requested a small 5% down payment in a transaction. Unfortunately, there can be considerable differences to lender required costs between a 5%, 10%, 15% or 20% down payment loans. It is important that the Buyer does his homework on loan costs before he gets the estimate closing statement asking for money!

Short video on the subject matter at this link - https://youtu.be/wyYtdhHBgeE

Full Juliana Tu’s Escrow Brief at this this link - https://conta.cc/49BwjPK

A healthy and successful 2026 to all!

Email from Viva Escrow! Inc. Why Escrow Is Asking for More Money Than Your Down Payment   “When a 5% down turns into 10% +”   Happy New Year! The Day After Photo by Karola G Happy New Year and hope

12/02/2025

Happy Holidays to all!

Should kids be put on the property ownership? Well….. it depends. There is at least one concern, a pretty important one, that you can read about in my December Escrow Brief at the following links:

Short Video - https://youtu.be/hgQOpD9WATA
Full Escrow Brief with Video and Quote of the Month - https://conta.cc/48eEq4j

With the start of the New Year in just a few short weeks, it’s time to do your New Year’s resolutions. May I recommend one thing for your To Do list? Look over all your important real estate assets. Are there any issues in the ownership? Pull a “property profile” to make sure there was nothing untoward that was filed against it!

Best wishes for a wonderful holiday season!

Email from Viva Escrow! Inc. Adding a Minor to Title? You just complicated your ownership!   “Adding a Minor to Title? You just complicated your ownership!”   Happy Holidays to all! Should kids be put

11/03/2025

Hello, all,

Hope you survived Halloween! Do we need to flush out all those arteries?

It seems I raised more questions after last month’s Escrow Brief on this divorce topic. This month I am going to present 2 choices on how an escrow officer can handle a transaction when there is a loan involved for the purchase of interest between divorcing couples. Surprisingly, this is not an uncommon scenario!

Remember that Daylight Savings Time was November 2nd. If you are wondering how come there is no one in the office right now, check your watch. Did you “Fall Back”?

https://conta.cc/47CjFxY

Email from Viva Escrow! Inc. Dividing Property in Divorce: Refinance vs. Purchase Explained   “When Your Ex Wants Out and You Want In – Divorce Buy Out Transaction Choices”   Hello, all, Hope you surv

10/01/2025

Email from Viva Escrow! Inc. Splitting up? Have your divorce paperwork handy   “Divorce Isn’t Always Final—Why Escrow Needs Your Paperwork”   Photo by Neven Krcmarek on Unsplash Hello! Going through a

10/01/2025

Hello!

Going through a divorce is difficult and strenuous. Add to that, going through escrow to sell that property due to divorce and there is a recipe for drama and disaster.

In this month’s Q & A Escrow Brief I address 3 common (but simple) divorce scenarios and how to handle reimbursement and disbursements here: https://conta.cc/3KmGY73

Oh my gosh, it’s Happy Halloween? Now that’s scary!

Email from Viva Escrow! Inc. Splitting up? Have your divorce paperwork handy   “Divorce Isn’t Always Final—Why Escrow Needs Your Paperwork”   Photo by Neven Krcmarek on Unsplash Hello! Going through a