According to TREC Rules, when must earnest money be delivered to an authorized escrow agent or deposited in a trust account?

The requirement for earnest money to be delivered to an authorized escrow agent or deposited in a trust account is stipulated by TREC Rules, which state that this must occur not later than the second working day after the funds are received. This timeframe allows for a reasonable processing period while ensuring that the funds are secured in a timely manner.

This regulation is in place to protect all parties involved in a real estate transaction, ensuring that earnest money is handled appropriately and follows the established procedures to maintain transparency and accountability. Timeliness is crucial in real estate transactions, and therefore, the second working day provides a balance between the urgency of securing the funds and the practical time needed to complete the process.