What is a third party agent that receives, holds, and/or disburses certain funds or documents upon the performance of certain conditions?

The role of a third party agent receiving, holding, and disbursing funds or documents upon the fulfillment of specific conditions is best described as an escrow agent. An escrow agent is an independent entity that manages the process of holding funds (such as down payments) and important documents (like property deeds) during a transaction until all parties meet the specified conditions or terms of the agreement.

This function is essential in real estate transactions, where an escrow agent ensures that money and documentation are properly managed to protect all involved parties, maintaining the integrity of the transaction until everything is settled according to the contractual obligations.

In contrast, while a broker facilitates transactions between buyers and sellers, they do not typically handle funds in an escrow capacity. A notary public primarily serves to witness signatures and authenticate documents rather than hold or disburse funds. A title company often deals with the title insurance process and may handle some documents, but it does not primarily act as an escrow agent. Therefore, the function and responsibilities attributed to an escrow agent align precisely with the description provided in the question.