Only ______________ items can be placed in escrow, such as checks, cash, or money orders.

The correct answer highlights that only negotiable items can be placed in escrow, which refers to assets that can be transferred or exchanged between parties and hold intrinsic value. Negotiable items, such as checks, cash, or money orders, allow for the transfer of ownership from one party to another without significant legal implications, making them suitable for escrow arrangements.

In the context of real estate transactions, using negotiable items ensures that the funds can be easily managed and appropriately disbursed upon the fulfillment of the contract terms. This characteristic is essential for maintaining the integrity of the escrow process, as both parties must be able to rely on the funds being readily accessible and valid for transfer when needed.

In contrast, personal items might have sentimental or unique value but do not universally translate into financial transactions in a reliable way, and fiduciary items pertain more to the relationship of trust between parties rather than the types of items that can be held in escrow. Non-negotiable items lack the necessary attributes for exchange, making them unsuitable for this purpose as well. Therefore, the focus on negotiable items within an escrow context is essential for proper handling and protection of funds in real estate dealings.