Partners And Associates

We are consultants and advisors for buyers of property located throughout Mexico. Activities include the elaboration of contracts, research, formation of Mexican corporations, title investigations and mediation of title insurance policies, the sponsorship of seminars and educational presentations. We are specialists in the establishment of Fideicomisos. (The Mexican form of real property ownership by foreigners purchasing property in certain areas of Mexico).

COMPANY PROFILE: The Settlement Company® was established in 1991 to assist foreigners with the bi-lingual legal and tax guidance required to safely purchase property in Mexico. Its service include: neutral depository services (Escrow), obtaining foreign relations permits and appraisals and supervising all aspects of the closing process; due diligence, mediation of title insurance, where available, legal and tax advice, fiscal planning and the calculation and payment of taxes, conflict resolution and casualty insurance, as required.

The company operates throughout Mexico through its’ Virtual Closing® process and has served clients from Canada, Mexico, the United States, Europe, Australia, and Asia.

The partners have combined experience of more than two hundred years in real estate law and practice in Mexico and the United States. Its founder, Linda Neil, has lived in Mexico for more than forty years.

FOUNDER and CONSULTANT – LINDA NEIL: Born in California, Linda is the Founder of The Settlement Company®. She is also licensed as a real estate broker in California and has lived in Mexico for over forty years. Linda has guided the development of a mortgage company and has extensive experience in escrow, appraisals, liens, foreclosures, contract law and managing the development of tourist projects. She has developed partnerships and joint ventures including several Mexican-American investment companies. Her skills in negotiating contracts and in reaching a meeting of the minds between parties from three distinct cultures has placed her services in demand as a consultant and for speaking engagements on Mexican real estate law and custom in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Holding a post graduate degree in real estate from UNAM ( Mexico’s national university) she has been widely published on the subject of acquiring real property in Mexico. Linda is co-author of the NAR publication, “Doing Business in Mexico” and has taught that course, both in Mexico and the United States. Memberships include the International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI), Asociacion Mexicana de Profesionales Inmobiliarios (AMPI), and the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). Linda has served three full terms as a National Advisor of AMPI, is a founding member of AMPI-Los Cabos and has served as State Coordinator for Baja California Sur. She acted as Liaison between NAR and Mexico during the years 2011 and 2012. She holds NAR designations: CIPS, ABR, SRES, RSPS, CNE, Languages, Spanish and English

EXECUTIVE CLOSING OFFICER – ALICIA PARRA RODRIGUEZ: Born in the state of Sinaloa and educated in Baja California Sur. Alicia speaks both English and Spanish. A twenty plus year veteran at the The Settlement Company®, Alicia is an expert in the Virtual Closing® and has supervised the closing of transactions throughout the entire country, probably more than any other one person in Mexico. Alicia has in-depth experience with bank trustees and with manifesting properties. She is an expert in the practices and procedures of the Public Registry, the Property Tax offices and with Notaries Public throughout the country.

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE – QUIRINO PARRA: Quirino was born in La Paz, Baja California Sur. He received his early education in that city and graduated from the University of Baja California Sur, with a degree in International Affairs. As Director of Finance, Quirino is responsible for the company trust accounts, day-to-day accounting and long term financial planning. Quirino plays an important role in the company. His attention to detail and keen mind for numbers are valuable assets. Languages: Spanish and English

Quirino

LA PAZ EXECUTIVE CLOSING OFFICER – CLAUDIA FUENTES: Claudia has a degree in International Businss from the University of Guadalajara, has impressive credentials in the business and real estate world, has license number 0345 in BCS as a broker. 

She traveled the entire planet for seven years with Quatar Airlines as stewardess, and in a supervisorial position with the airline. This experience has helped her to understand better our international community and its needs in BCS. She has also held positions in real estate sales in both La Paz and Los Cabos over the years and is a member of the JOHN K GLAAB awards selection committee.

Claudia’s passion is law which she will put to good use in analyzing the deeds, working with buyer’s and seller’s agents to be sure all is in good order, so that clients can feel secure in their purchase. 

Claudia Fuentes

IT DIRECTOR – MIKE IGARTÚA: Born in Guadalajara and grew up in Colima, Mexico and Portland, Oregon. Graduated from “Instituto Tecnológico de Colima” with a degree in Business Administration and Human Resources.

Mike worked many years in a family-owned advertising/marketing company as a translator, marketer and web designer. He began working as a real estate agent in 2017 after years of developing websites for realtors.

Mike Igartúa

OUR LEGAL COUNSIL – LIC. JOSÉ ROBERTO GARCÍA DE LA PEÑA: He is a graduate of the Institute of Higher Studies in Criminal Law at INDEPAC, Monterrey, Nuevo León. He pursued his Master’s degree in Labor Law and obtained a diploma in specialized labor justice. After receiving his degree in Law from the University of Baja California Sur, Mr. José Roberto Garcia De la Peña has been serving as a legal advisor with extensive experience in labor and administrative matters at his own legal firm. He also worked as a Supervisor at the Regioncal Legal Department of the Federal Electricity Commission. His expertise and knowledge of laws have led him to serve as an external advisor in labor matters, and founding partner of the College of Litigating Lawyers of B.C.S. With his diplomas, courses, seminars, tax diploma, and recognitions, he plays a fundamental role in advising and assisting in closings at The Settlement Company•.

Roberto Garcia