Which of the following roles is responsible for ensuring that the escrow process abides by state regulations?

The escrow officer plays a crucial role in the real estate transaction by overseeing the escrow process, which involves managing the funds and documents between the buyer and seller until all conditions of the sale are met. This includes ensuring that all actions taken during the escrow process comply with state regulations and legal requirements. The escrow officer is trained in the relevant laws and procedures, enabling them to maintain proper documentation and ensure that the transaction is conducted legally and efficiently.

While the seller, buyer, and mortgage lender have important roles in the transaction, they do not have the same level of responsibility in overseeing the compliance of the entire escrow process. The seller and buyer are primarily focused on their respective interests in the transaction, and the mortgage lender is concerned with the financing aspect rather than the escrow management itself. Therefore, the escrow officer is uniquely positioned to ensure that the transaction adheres to state regulations throughout the process.