Sam,
It depends on the amount and where in the transaction it occurs. I'm in a rural area, so we fairly frequently get cash for earnest money on smaller transactions (under $50K). We have a simple NCR receipt book from OfficeDepot and keep a photocopy of the actual cash and the receipt as evidence of the deposit in our file. The carbon in the book is a backup record for the auditors. If it's additional cash at closing for recording fees (which sometimes happens when we do a mail-out/remote notary and they put their seal where I'd planned for the clerk's stamp to go) or for penalties/interest for property taxes that go over into the next month, we also use the receipt book, but add a line item onto the HUD (1305-ish) or CD (Section H) so the receipts balance when I'm ready to fund.
On occasion, I have someone want to bring the entire purchase price in cash. That's a no-go, especially if it's over $10K. I make them go to the bank and fill out all of the federal forms so I get a cashier's check. I won't accept more than $1,500 in cash, unless it's earnest money and then only if it's under $5,000.
Hope that helps!
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Cathy Clamp CTIP
Escrow Officer
Heart of Texas Title Co., LLC
Brady TX
+1 (325) 597-0796
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-16-2026 10:52
From: Sam Saad
Subject: Cash escrow deposits
Hi everyone, how do you handle cash escrow deposits in your office?
Thanks,
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Sam Saad / President/CEO
Paradise Coast Title & Escrow, LLC
Naples, Florida
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