Close on time without leaving loose ends. Funds held in trust for repairs, permits, and contingencies — documented, protected, and released only when conditions are clearly met.
A holdback only works if the agreement does. We draft a tight escrow holdback agreement that defines the scope of work, the amount held, the release conditions, the deadline, and what happens if work isn’t completed. No vague “to be determined” language — every party knows exactly what triggers a release.
Funds sit in our trust account — not the seller’s, not the buyer’s, not a contractor’s. Every dollar is tracked, reconciled, and reported. When invoices come in, they’re matched to the agreement before anything moves. You’ll always know what’s held, what’s released, and what’s still pending.
When the work is finished, permits closed, or the contingency satisfied, we verify, release the funds to the right party, and close the holdback file with a clean accounting. If a dispute arises, we follow the agreement and Florida trust account rules — never improvise with someone else’s money.
A few of the things clients ask before reaching out.
It’s an amount of money kept in a neutral trust account at closing instead of being paid out — usually to cover repairs, permit closeouts, or another condition that couldn’t be finished before the closing date. Once the condition is met, the funds are released according to the written agreement.
Common reasons include open permits, unfinished repairs the seller agreed to make, post-closing punch lists on new construction, lender-required repairs, or seasonal work (like roof or pool repairs that have to wait on weather or contractor availability).
Most agreements hold 1.0× to 1.5× the estimated cost of the work, so there’s a cushion if the job comes in over budget. The exact figure is negotiated in the holdback agreement and tied to a written estimate where possible.
We do, as the neutral escrow agent — not the buyer, not the seller, not the contractor. Funds only move when the conditions in the signed holdback agreement are met, or by mutual written instruction of the parties.
The holdback agreement governs. Typically, if the seller fails to complete the work by the deadline, the buyer can use the held funds to hire a contractor and complete the work, with any remaining balance returned to the seller. We draft this clearly so there’s no ambiguity if the timeline slips.
Always. Holdbacks involve money, deadlines, and trust — not paperwork to be handed off. Gabrielle drafts, holds, and releases personally, with a documented file at every step.
Share a few details and Gabrielle will reach out personally — usually within one business day.
Palm Beach County, Florida
(561) 345-3516
