By the Rampart Title editorial team · October 07, 2026
Arizona is an escrow state. A neutral escrow officer holds the earnest money, the documents and the funds, and closes the transaction only when every condition in the escrow instructions has been met. Here is how a typical Arizona purchase moves from contract to close of escrow.
1. Opening escrow
Once the contract is signed, it is delivered to the title and escrow company along with the earnest money. Escrow is “opened” and an escrow officer is assigned to the file.
2. Title commitment
The title company searches the public record and issues a commitment listing the requirements to close (payoffs, releases, signatures) and the exceptions the policy will not cover. Buyers should review it during the inspection period.
3. Inspection period and disclosures
Under the common Arizona purchase contract, the buyer has an inspection period — ten days unless the parties agree otherwise — and the seller delivers the Seller’s Property Disclosure Statement (SPDS).
4. Loan approval and appraisal
The lender completes underwriting and the appraisal and sends loan documents to escrow.
5. Signing and funding
Buyer and seller sign with the escrow officer. The buyer wires the balance of the down payment and closing costs, and the lender funds the loan.
6. Recording and close of escrow
The deed and deed of trust are recorded with the county recorder ($30 per document, plus a $2 Affidavit of Property Value fee on the deed). Once recorded, escrow is closed, the seller is paid and the buyer gets the keys.
Arizona has no transfer tax, and escrow fees are customarily split between buyer and seller. Use our Arizona calculators for an estimate of your costs.
