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Deciding to buy a home stirs up many different emotions.  Most people only mention the benefits of owning a home and conveniently omit the amazing stress that is commonly referred to as escrow. No matter what you have heard, or fancy definitions given, escrow is code for Super Crazy Stress Time. 

Let's do a thought exercise together.  Think back to the last time you went car shopping.  Think of the emotions that you felt.  There was the excitement of knowing you were getting a new, better (hopefully), car; the enjoyment of the test drives, browsing the lots; and finally you find the one.  It is exactly what you are looking for and you must have it.

Now remember the feelings that went with negotiating a price with the dealership, credit checks, paperwork, loans, and all of the add-ons that they pitch to you as being necessary.  Suddenly, car buying is no longer fun.  The only thoughts that come into your head is finishing and going home, but no matter how hard you might try, your day will be spent at the dealership. 

Take that last portion of car buying and stretch the process out for 30+ days, and you now have an idea how escrow feels.  It is a time of nonstop "hurry up and wait".  You will receive calls from people needing documents, money, or both.  They will need these things urgently and you will drop what you are doing to oblige them, and then you will go back to waiting, and waiting, and waiting....

To pass the time you will schedule utilities and moving dates without knowing exactly when your new home will be yours.  You will pack up most of your belongings and start living out of boxes.  As you get closer to these dates, the stress will grow and grow, as will your ulcer.  Dates will be missed and appointments will need to be rescheduled. 

Just sort of checking into a mental facility, escrow will finally close and you will have the keys to your new home.  Now its moving time, a process designed to make you as physically tired as you are mentally.  Once that is done you will home with piles of boxes waiting for your attention.

During the whole process I half-jokingly told coworkers to never buy a home because of the incredible amount of stress.  Ultimately, looking back at the whole affair, it was well worth it.  Just know going into it that it will be one of the most stressful events of your life.