Escrow, Assignment Fees, & Ernest Money Deposits

[Darrie W. Bennett]

Hello fellow members -

I finished drafting my Assignment Contract and have a few questions:

1. Do I need to have an attorney review and make changes to the the contract before using it the first time?

2. When do you open escrow? When my offer is accepted or after I have it assigned?

3. How do you determine your assignment fee?

4. When is your fee due? Upon assignment or when escrow closes? I am asking to be paid upon assignment.

5. How do you collect your fee? Cashier's check, wired funds, ... ?

6. Do you ever ask the investor to put up the Earnest Money Deposit ?

I would appreciate any input.