"John at AquaRK Title is professional, organized, and communicates clearly every step of the way. He's straight-forward and gets things done!"
Russell Hale· Google
Escrow & Settlement
Escrow & Settlement Services on 30A.
On a 30A real estate transaction, the escrow account is where the deal lives until the table. AquaRK Title Services holds your earnest money, loan proceeds, and seller funds in segregated trust accounts under direct attorney supervision — with documented anti-fraud protocols on every wire.
Escrow on a Florida real estate transaction is more than a holding account. It's a fiduciary obligation. From the moment earnest money is deposited until the moment the seller is wired and the deed records, AquaRK Title Services is responsible for protecting funds that often run into the millions of dollars. We take that responsibility seriously — every escrow account is segregated, attorney-supervised, and reconciled daily.
What our 30A escrow service includes.
AquaRK opens an escrow file the moment a contract is executed. We confirm receipt of earnest money in writing to all parties, hold funds in a segregated Florida trust account, coordinate with lenders for the receipt of loan proceeds, prepare the settlement statement (CD or HUD-1 alternative) line by line with full transparency, disburse funds to the seller and all third parties at closing, and provide written confirmation when every wire lands. After closing, we follow up on recording and final lien releases.
Wire-fraud prevention is not optional.
Real estate wire fraud is the single largest source of loss in residential closings nationally — and 30A's high price points make this market a target. AquaRK uses documented protocols on every disbursement: verbal verification of wire instructions with all parties, change-of-instruction protocols that require independent re-verification, encrypted communication for sensitive documents, and multi-person internal approval before any seller proceeds wire is released. We also educate buyers and sellers on the red flags before the closing date.
Escrow for cash, financed, and luxury 30A purchases.
Whether you're closing a $400,000 first-time purchase in Seagrove Beach or a $10M+ Gulf-front estate in Alys Beach or Rosemary Beach, the underlying escrow standard is identical: segregated trust account, attorney-supervised, fully reconciled, fraud-protected. The difference at the high end is the volume of moving parts — entity buyers, foreign sellers, multiple lenders, escrow holdbacks for repairs or rental income — all of which AquaRK handles in-house.
Coordinated with the rest of your closing.
Because AquaRK is a single attorney-led firm — not an escrow desk bolted onto a third-party closer — your settlement, title, and disbursement all sit on the same desk. That tight coordination is what eliminates the "the other side hasn't sent it yet" problem that plagues so many 30A closings. See it in action across a full 30A residential closing or pair it with Florida title insurance.
What's included.
Segregated Florida trust accounts, reconciled daily.
Direct attorney supervision on every escrow file.
Documented wire-fraud prevention on every disbursement.
Earnest money receipt confirmed in writing to all parties.
Repair and rental-income escrow holdbacks handled in-house.
Single point of contact from contract to post-closing.
What clients say.
"Wendy Lewis is a superstar and has closed close to a billion dollars in sales for me. She is hands down, the best."
Jonathan Spears· Google
"The only title company I would use. Prompt, courteous, accurate. I've closed with Wendy and AquaRK many times and she is the best!"
Alissa Clifton· Facebook
"Our experience with AquaRK was wonderful! Wendy was absolutely great to work with. Knowledgeable, professional and very efficient with her job!"
Susie Gossett· Google
Frequently asked questions.
How is my earnest money protected when AquaRK is escrow agent?+
All earnest money is held in a segregated Florida title agent trust account. Funds are reconciled daily, supervised by an attorney, and never commingled with operating funds. We provide written confirmation of receipt to buyer, seller, and both agents.
Can AquaRK send and receive wires for my closing?+
Yes. We send and receive wires for every closing. Every wire is verified verbally with the recipient before release using independently obtained phone numbers, and any change to wire instructions requires fresh verbal re-verification — no exceptions.
What happens if the deal falls through? Who gets the earnest money?+
Earnest money disposition is governed by the contract. If both parties agree in writing to the disposition, AquaRK releases funds accordingly. If there's a dispute, Florida law allows the escrow agent to interplead funds into court for a judge to decide — protecting both parties.
Does AquaRK hold escrow for repair holdbacks or post-closing items?+
Yes. We routinely hold escrow holdbacks for post-closing repairs, rental-income reconciliations, and other contractual items, governed by a written escrow agreement signed by both parties.
Are AquaRK escrow services available outside 30A?+
Yes. While 30A and the Emerald Coast are our concentration, we provide escrow and settlement services on Florida transactions statewide.
Talk to AquaRK Title Services.
Attorney-led Florida title and escrow since 2006. Get a transparent quote in minutes.