An escrow agent is a neutral third party that holds funds or documents on behalf of two parties involved in a transaction, such as a real estate deal. Their primary role is to ensure that all conditions of the agreement are met before the transaction is completed. This helps protect both the buyer and seller by ensuring that neither party can access the funds or documents until all terms are fulfilled. Typically, escrow agents are used in transactions involving large sums of money or significant assets, providing a layer of security and trust. They manage the escrow account, oversee the transfer of funds, and ensure that all necessary paperwork, like deeds or contracts, is properly executed before finalizing the deal.