Escrow and title insurance both emerged to solve an old problem: how do you safely transfer property from one person to another?

In the early 1900s, buyers often purchased homes without knowing whether the seller truly had legal ownership—or if the land had outstanding debts or lawsuits. This led to countless disputes and financial losses.

Escrow companies stepped in to serve as neutral third parties, holding funds and documents until all conditions were met.
Title insurance followed to protect buyers and lenders from unknown legal issues that might pop up after the sale.

Today, even with digital tools and fast transactions, these protections are more important than ever—especially as fraud and property complexity increase.