International Escrow Services – First American Title Insurance Company

International Escrow Services

When you are involved with a real property transaction in the international market, First American Title Insurance Company can provide Escrow Services as an independent and neutral holder of funds.

First American Title Insurance Company

Funds held in Trust

First American Title Insurance Company is the second largest title insurer in the world, with revenues of $8 billion. First American has an international escrow account arranged through a major US bank based in Miami, Florida to securely hold deposits, proceeds from sales, and/or purchase funds. As an independent escrow agent, First American will only disburse funds pursuant to your instructions. Your funds held in trust by First American will be used as directed by you, giving you peace of mind and security. First American, pursuant to your instructions, will disburse the funds to pay mortgages, real estate commissions, taxes due at closings, closing fees, notary fees, and/or the purchase price. A secure placement of your funds in Escrow with First American allows both the seller and the buyer to know that the cash will be available at the time of closing.

First American Title Insurance Company can act as:

1.  Custodian of funds
2.  Disbursement agent
3.  Neutral third party guaranteeing the availability of funds

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What do I need to open an Escrow?
For First American to act as escrow agent on a real property transaction, the Company requires an Escrow Agreement signed by both Buyer and Seller.

How much does the Escrow service cost?
First American Escrow fee is a one-time fee  and includes up to 10 disbursements. This is a non-refundable fee.

How long can we have Escrow open?
The Escrow remains open until the transaction closes and all funds are disbursed.

How are the funds disbursed?
At closing, First American is provided with a letter of disbursement itemizing amounts and names of payees signed by all parties to the Escrow, along with satisfaction of all contingencies of the Escrow. First American requests wiring instructions on the letter of disbursement in order to expedite payments. The payments may be completed by wire transfer, certified check, and/or First American check.

Do I receive interest?
No, the account is non-interest bearing. However, an interest bearing account may be available at an additional cost.

Should you have any question do not hesitate to contact us.

Stamatio & Company is always looking to provide you with the best information and resorces available.

Please note Escrow and Titles fees are subject to change by First American at any time without further notice, for up to date information please visit www.firstam.com

Uruapan “The Avocado Capital of the World”

Uruapan is one of the oldest cities in Mexico. Its main natural attraction is the Cupatitzio River (dubbed “the river that sings”), because along its flow are tourist attractions. The National Park Eduardo Ruiz is home of “La Rodilla del Diablo”, the source of the river which courses through the city and out toward “La Tzaráracua” and “La Tzararacuita”, waterfalls on the southern outskirts of the city, and flows into the Presa Infernillo and eventually the Pacific Ocean. Paricutín volcano emerged in the vicinity in 1943, scaring away much of the population.

Uruapan is served by Uruapan International Airport. Uruapan has a sister city: Culver City, the street where National Park is has that name (Culver City Street); also, the firefighters of Uruapan received a few years ago personal equipment and vehicles from Culver City and Kansas City Fire Department to do a better job.

Huerta de Aguacate en Uruapan - Avocado Farm

The word Uruapan comes from the Purépecha word ulhupani, meaning “place of eternal formation and fertility of flower buds.” Uruapan, “place where the god-prince of flowers is revered, was established before the arrival of the Spaniards and was an exuberant paradise and a peaceful chiefdom corresponding to the Purépecha King.” Reséndiz 1991 said there are various interpretations of the meaning of Uruapan, for some meaning “water jug,” for others it means “where the trees always give fruit.” Others have determined it comes from the word urhuapani, meaning “blooming” or “sprouting.” The place where everything flowers also translates to “where the hearts of plants bloom like the flowers and enjoy a perpetual spring.”

Santa Clara del Cobre an Artisan Mexican Town

Santa Clara del Cobre is the seat of the municipality of Salvador Escalante in the central Mexican state of Michoacán. The nearest big city to Santa Clara del Cobre is the capital of Michoacán, Morelia.

The current population of the town is 11,959. In Santa Clara del Cobre they have had the tradition of working copper since prehispanic times.

Their artisans have obtained several national awards for the beauty of their work. Their work may be decorative and artistic or practical objects for commerce and home.

Santa Clara De Cobre Copper Town

The crafting of copper may be executed by several persons working in unison. The town has a large number of copper workshops which are located inside the town and the outskirts.

The main attraction of Santa Clara del Cobre is their craftwork, but there are also several other tourist attractions. One of them is the Zirahuén Lake, which means “the mirror of the gods

Playa del Carmen and Tourism

Originally a small fishing town, tourism to Playa del Carmen began with the passenger ferry service to Cozumel, an island across the Cozumel Channel and world famous scuba diving destination. While passing through, many people realized that it was a nice place to relax away from the crowds of Cancún but with the same quality beaches and turquoise waters. Perhaps just as impressive as Cozumel, Playa del Carmen’s coast offers good scuba diving opportunities, as well as cenote diving for the more adventurous.

Today Playa del Carmen, or just “Playa” as it is colloquially referred to, is the center of the Riviera Maya concept, which runs from south of Cancún to Tulum and the Sian Ka’an biosphere reserve. Playa is a stop for several cruise ships which dock at the nearby Calica quarry docks, about six miles south of the city. The Xcaret Eco Park, a Mexican-themed “eco-archaeological park”, is a popular tourist destination located just south of the town in Xcaret (pronounced “esh-caret”). Tourist activity in Playa del Carmen centers on Quinta Avenida, or Fifth Avenue, stretching from calle 1 norte until calle 34, a pedestrian walkway located just one block inland from the beach which is lined with boutique hotels, shops, bars, and restaurants.

Playa del carmen Beaches photo Courtesy of Rentcancunvillas.com

Elements within the Playa del Carmen local community and government have attempted to retain Playa del Carmen’s reputation and charm as a small fishing village and artists’ colony, without it becoming as large or tourist dependent as Cancún. To this end, the city passed an ordinance limiting buildings to three stories. A few four story buildings were built before the ordinance, however. Playa del Carmen is currently expanding north beyond the Colosio section and on the other side of highway 307, the Ejido. Playacar is a residential and tourist development in Playa del Carmen, just south of the main urban area, where most of the all-inclusive hotels, the aviary, and the golf course are located. Playacar is privately owned by the Castanon family.

There is a significant European influence in Playa, with a number of local business proprietors drawn from the European expatriate community.

In October 2005 Hurricane Wilma passed directly over Playa del Carmen, remaining in the vicinity for two days and causing significant damage and a temporary drop in tourist arrivals. Fortunately most of the damage was relatively superficial and repaired within a few weeks of the storm. Hurricane Wilma arrived from the Caribbean sea, passing over Cozumel before making landfall in Playa del Carmen. It then moved north along the Mexican coast, hitting Cancún especially hard.

The telenovela Peregrina takes place in Playa del Carmen.

Playa del Carmen History in Brief

Playa del Carmen is named for Our Lady of Mount Carmel, who is the patron saint of Cancún. The first recorded visitors to the beaches of what is now Playa del Carmen came during the Early Classic Period (a.d. 300-600) of the Mayan civilization. Then called Xaman-Ha, or “waters of the north,” Playa del Carmen was a rest stop of sorts for travelers making their way from the great cities of the Mayan world to the island of Cozumel.

Playa del Carmen Mexico Photo Courtesy of Viajobien.com

The coast and lowlands of the peninsula were still heavily populated with the descendents of the fallen civilization when the Spaniards arrived. Tulum, less than an hour south of Playa, was the last Mayan outpost and there are plenty of small ruins in Playa del Carmen. The Spanish focused their attention around the area of Mérida, where conditions were better for growing henequén (sisal), a fibre used to make rope. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Caribbean coast was considered a savage place with not much to offer for potential settlers.

Mazatlan Culture & Contemporary Life

Mazatlan is home to the Teatro Angela Peralta, located on the Plazuela Machado. Originally built from 1869 to 1874, the Teatro, completely restored from 1987 to 1992 to its 19th-century splendor, houses a concert hall, galleries, an art school and a highly regarded conservatory of music and dance.

Artists such as classical musician Enrique Patron de Rueda and the Machado Orchestra perform regularly. The Sinaloa Symphony, local productions and a diverse program of touring artists keep the Teatro busy throughout the year.

Teatro Angela Peralta - Angela Peralta Theather Photo Courtesy of Nancy Moon

The Plazuela Machado, located in Centro Histórico, serves as the cultural hub of the city featuring open air restaurants, pageants, public art exhibits, a weekly craft fair and nightly entertainment. Calle Constitución, the only through street, is closed to vehicle traffic in the evenings from Thursday through Sunday.

Mazatlán hosts one of the largest celebrations of Carnaval in the world. Culminating on Fat Tuesday, this weeklong bacchanal attracts visitors from all over the world with its parades, cultural events and partying.

Mazatlan History in Brief

Until the early 19th century, Mazatlán was a humble collection of huts inhabited by indios whose major occupation was fishing, according to Abel Aubert du Petit-Thouars, a French explorer. In 1829 a Filipino banker named Machado arrived and established commercial relations with vessels coming to Mazatlán from far off places such as Chile, Peru, the United States, Europe, and the Asia Pacific. By 1836 the city had a population of between 4000 and 5000.

The city has seen some turbulent times. During the Mexican-American War (1846-48) the U.S. Army took the city and, in order to avoid the shelling of the city, the Mexican army abandoned it. Almost twenty years later, on the morning of November 13, 1864, a French man-of-war fired on the city twelve times but there were no casualties; Mazatlán then became part of the Mexican Empire under Maximilian (vestiges of French influence may still be found in the architecture of many buildings in Centro Historico). On November 13, 1866, the Mexican general Ramon Corona expelled the imperialists from Mazatlán.

Mazatlan Centro Historico Img Courtesy of Imageshack

On June 18, 1868, William H. Bridge, captain of HMS Chanticleer, blockaded the port and threatened to shell the city on June 22. The captain had taken umbrage after local Customs Authorities seized 23 ounces of gold from the paymaster of the ship.

The City of Mazatlán has the dubious distinction of being the second city in the world after Tripoli, Libya, to suffer aerial bombardment (although the local historical display at the plazuela affirms that Mazatlán was the first).

During the Mexican revolution of 1910-17 General Venustiano Carranza (later president), intent on taking the city of Mazatlán, ordered a bi-plane to drop a crude bomb of nails and dynamite wrapped in leather on the target of Neveria Hill adjacent to the downtown area of Mazatlán.

The crude bomb landed off target on the city streets of Mazatlán, killing two citizens and wounding several others.

During the Gold Rush, fortune hunters from the United States East Coast sailed from New York Harbor and other Atlantic ports to Mexican ports in the Gulf of Mexico. Debarking, the aspiring miners travelled overland for weeks to Mazatlán, where they would embark from the port to arrive in San Francisco in another four to five weeks.

Mazatlán’s lighthouse (El Faro) began to shine by mid-1879. The lamp had been handcrafted in Paris, containing a big oil lamp with mirrors and a Fresnel lens to enhance the light. Since the light was static, in the distance it was often mistaken for a star. By 1905 this lamp was converted to a revolving lamp. Today, the 1000 watt bulb can be seen for 30 nautical miles (60 km). Near the lighthouse shore, famous “divers” (called this even by the Spanish speaking inhabitants of Mazatlán) perform daring jumps off high rocks into the Pacific Ocean for tips from onlooking tourists.

Angela Peralta (1845-1883), a Mexican opera diva famed throughout the world, died of yellow fever in Mazatlán shortly after her arrival in the port. Legend has it she sang one last aria from her hotel balcony overlooking the Plazuela Machado. Her memory is held dear by Mazatlécos to this day, and the restored Teatro Angela Peralta by the Plazuela keeps her memory alive.

Mazatlán is also the hometown of Pedro Infante, one of the most popular actors and singers of the golden years of the Cinema of Mexico.

Mazatlán was well regarded by film stars such as John Wayne, Gary Cooper, John Huston, and others of their generation as a sportfishing mecca. The hotels along Olas Altas flourished during the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s supporting this vibrant trade.

In the 70’s, tourism in Old Mazatlán declined as other, newer venues opened on the expanses of beach to the north of the city. As an example of Mazatlán’s tourism expansion, one of the largest timeshare providers in Mexico, Mayan Resorts was founded in 1975 with the inauguration of Paraíso Mazatlán (Mazatlán Paradise). This time also saw the expansion of the Hotel Playa Mazatlán and the construction of many others, a trend that continues to this day.

As the 21st Century begins, the Centro Histórico has been rediscovered by newcomers and locals alike, spurring a renaissance of restoration and entrepreneurial endeavors. Once-fine homes that had fallen into literal ruin have been restored to their former glory and house families and boutique businesses.

The city has assisted in upgrading infrastructure, such as better water, sewer and electrical services.

Morelia – UNESCO World Heritage

Before the arrival of the Spaniards, the region was inhabited by a people known as the Pirindas, and the place was called “Guayangareo”. Morelia was officially founded on May 18, 1541, by the first viceroy of New Spain, Antonio de Mendoza, as “City of Michoacán”. It was inhabited by 50 Spanish noble families and by Purepecha Indians (brought from Pátzcuaro and Tiripetio to serve the Spanish). In 1545, the name was changed to “Valladolid”.

Unlike Pátzcuaro, an indigenous city of which Valladolid was a rival for a long time, Valladolid was essentially Spanish, inhabited by conquistadors and their descendants, and by upstarts that came from the metropolis. In 1547 it got the title of city, and was given a coat of arms in 1553.

The rivalry between Pátzcuaro and Valladolid occurred when they began a dispute about where the seat of the bishopric of Michoacan should locate. The Spaniards wanted Valladolid to be made into an episcopal city, but Vasco de Quiroga, who always defended the Indians from the Spaniards, wanted this title to be granted to Pátzcuaro. In 1571, six years after Vasco de Quiroga’s death, King Philip II upgraded Valladolid to an episcopal city.

In 1580, Valladolid replaced Pátzcuaro as the capital of Michoacán. During the colonial period a number of religious orders established themselves in the city, allowing it to take an important place in the history of art and culture in New Spain. Important architectural sites from the colonial period include the Catedral de Morelia, the Aqueduct (built between 1785 and 1789 by Fray Antonio de San Miguel), the Governor’s Palace, the Palacio Clavijero, and numerous churches, convents, and houses. The Conservatorio de Música de las Rosas of Morelia was the first music conservatory in the Americas.

Morelia - Colonial Town Central Mexico

The city is the birthplace of José María Morelos (1765), after whom it was renamed on September 12, 1828, and who along with Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla began the War of Independence from Spain in 1810. It was also the birthplace of Agustín de Iturbide (1783), later Emperor of Mexico, and Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez, who played a key role in the instigation of the Independence movement

On September 15, 2008, at 11 p.m., during festivities celebrating the 198th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, civilians gathered on the Plaza Melchor Ocampo were attacked by a fragmentation grenade, followed by a second detonation four blocks away. Official sources confirmed eight dead and 135 injured. Terrorist groups linked to organized crime and drug trafficking were alleged to be responsible for these attacks. On September 26, 2008, three arrests were made in connection with the attacks.

The Historic Downtown Area (Centro Histórico), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, encompasses approximately 150 city blocks at the city center, roughly corresponding to the urban area of the city at the end of the eighteenth century. The Centro Histórico contains over 1,000 historical buildings and sites.

Morelia is characterized by the magnificence of its monuments which are mostly colonial. The most remarkable buildings are the baroque cathedral, finished in 1744; the convent of San Francisco, built in 1513; the convent of San Agustín, founded in 1550; the college and temple of La Compañia de Jesus, started in 1580 and known as Palacio Clavijero; the convent of El Carmen, constructed in 1597; the convent of Santa Catarina that dates from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.

Other important constructions are the 1613 convent of La Merced, the college of Santa Rosa María whose foundation was in 1743; the palace of the Executive, its construction started in 1734 and finished in 1770; the eighteenth century palaces of the Legislature and of the Judiciary; the sixteenth century college Primitivo y Nacional de San Nicolas de Hidalgo, reconstructed in 1882, the eighteenth century Museo Michoacano; and the house where José María Morelos was born, on Corregidora street, which is now used as a museum, library and for cultural events.

The Casa de las Artesanías features a large variety of high quality artisanal works. There are several other notable historical churches in town including the Templo de las Rosas annex to the Conservatorio de las Rosas, which are both examples of baroque architecture, and the Templo de San Diego (also known as Santuario de Guadalupe), built with an interpretation of the Rococo style using indigenous colors and techniques. The monumental aqueduct, built in colonial days to bring water into town, was functional through 1910. It is made up by more than 250 arches.

Its construction started in 1787 and finished in 1789. The inner city is built of reddish sandstone, lending the city a unique character among Mexico’s many noteworthy colonial cities and giving origin to the name Ciudad de las Canteras Rosas (“city of pink stone”) that is sometimes used in reference to Morelia.

Monarcas Morelia, a soccer team playing in the Primera División de México, is based in Morelia.

Morelia has three golf courses: “Club Campestre de Morelia” founded in 1968, which has 9 holes with great difficulty because of very large trees and beautiful lakes; “Tres Marías”, a 27-hole Jack Nicklaus-designed course that hosts the LPGA once a year; “Club Erandeni”, which recently opened its fairways to the public. A fourth, designed by Carter Morrish, is under development in Bosque Monarca, now known as Altozano.

At the southern edge of the city is the Santa María mountain range, and is home to upscale residential districts, private sector schools and the Universidad Vasco de Quiroga and the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey. Under construction in this area is Paseo Morelia, a shopping center which will be among the largest in Latin America, slated to open in late 2008. The main road leading to this area has been recently re-named Juan Pablo Blvd., and it leads to a traffic circle bearing a bronze statute of the late Pope John Paul II.

Land has been donated in the vicinity for the construction of a school operated by the Legionaries of Christ. Originally called Montaña Monarca, this development has been renamed Altozano and is patterned after the Ave Maria planned community near Naples, Florida, United States.

Since 2006, the first half of the prestigious Linares chess tournament has been held in Morelia.

Ixtapa Zihuatanejo – Costa Grande Guerrero

ZIHUATANEJO

The name Zihuatanejo is from the Nahuatl “Cihuatlán”, meaning “place of women” because it was a matriarchal society.

In pre-Columbian times, a Tarascan leader with a title of Caltzontzin (that means: He who governs countless houses) frequented the area from the modern day Lake Pátzcuaro region.

Legend has it that he constructed the rock barrier on Playa Las Gatas (named for the harmless whiskered sharks that used to be found there) to provide a sheltered swimming area and harbor for the women and children, though the town’s official historian says this is a myth. Nevertheless, that barrier, whether man-made or natural, continues to protect the beach to this day.

In 1523, a Spanish expedition under Juan Rodríguez Villafuerte arrived in Zihuatanejo, where he built the first shipyard of the New Spain and constructed several caravels and brigantines, with which he sailed on to Acapulco.

With the arrival of the Spanish, the name Cihuatlan was transformed first into Cihuatlán and then into Ciguatanejo. Zihuatanejo’s current name form has only been in use for the past couple of centuries.

The Spanish Conquistadores believed Cihuatlán to be a land to the northwest with beautiful Amazon women, gold, and precious gems, and perhaps another name for the Seven Cities of Cibola.

Zihuatanejo Bay - Playa La Ropa

In both the movie The Shawshank Redemption and the Stephen King novella it came from, the main character Andy Dufresne dreams about one day being able to own a small hotel on the beach in Zihuatanejo. Red’s (Morgan Freeman) famous phrase “Zi…what?” has become popular with the people that visit this place.

Zihuatanejo is the title of a song by Fightstar. It is a B-side on the single Floods, released on March 3rd, 2008. Charlie Simpson, lead singer of Fightstar, is a big fan of the movie The Shawshank Redemption.

Zihuatanejo is the title of a song by the Swedish band Kongh. The epic 13:02 song is the album closer of their 2007 debut “Counting Heartbeats”.

The Mexican musical duo Rodrigo y Gabriela titled a song on their self-titled second studio album after Ixtapa.

In the episode of Chuck titled “Chuck versus the Third Dimension”, after Morgan tells Big Mike that Butterman, an ex-con, is leaving for Zihuatanejo, Big Mike replies that Zihuatanejo is Mexican for Philadelphia.

IXTAPA

Ixtapa is a government-planned tourist resort that was begun in the early 1970s and constructed on what was once a coconut plantation and mangrove estuary.

In 1968, the Bank of Mexico created a special fund for the creation of new tourist destinations on the country’s coastlines. The first two such destinations were Cancún, in the state of Quintana Roo, and Ixtapa, next to the town of Zihuatanejo. The development of Ixtapa was supported by a loan from the World Bank.

The master plan for Ixtapa was developed by architects Enrique and Agustín Landa Verdugo, who also participated in the choice of the site. Their project defined the tourist destination’s street layout and zoning. The project is organized in super-blocks with irregular shapes, with the high-speed streets separating these blocks, and cul-de-sacs within them.

A couple of architects were selected to build this city, some still live in the first residential area called Villa las Garzas. Architects like Miguel Ángel Rojas and Concepción Rivera live and work in this town.

Ixtapa Beach Resort

Ixtapa Offers over five thousand hotel rooms and villas for you to choose from. One is likely to find the right property to accommodate ones needs. Many hotels and resorts offer All-Inclusive packages to bring additional benefits at a lower cost to their guests. Many of the large hoteliere chains have properties in Ixtapa, including Melia, NH, Holiday Inn, Park Royal, Hotel Ixtapa Palace Resort & Spa, and Club Med.

Cruises often stop at Ixtapa, the city has become a major cruise stop and a major attraction for its beaches.

The Resort of Ixtapa Zihuatanejo can be reached by air, bus and highway and has its own airport, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International.

Flights are available from Mexico City, several provincial cities, and various places in the United States and Canada.

Airlines: Aeromexico, Mexicana/Click, Interjet, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Northwest Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways.

Charter Lines: Apple Vacations, Champion Air, Funjet Vacations, MLT Vacations, Ryan International, Sunwing Vacations, Transglobal and others.

Bus Lines: Autovias, Costa Line, Estrella de Oro, La Linea Plus, Parhikuni, Primera Plus, Tap, Turistar/Futura, Via Plus.

Yucatan Language and Accent

The Spanish spoken in the Yucatán is readily identifiable as different, even to non-native ears. It is heavily influenced by the Spanish accent and Yucatec Maya language, which is still spoken by a third of the population of the State of Yucatán, although mostly in smaller towns and villages.

The Mayan language is harshly melodic, filled with “sh” sounds (represented by the letter “x” in the Mayan language) and very full throated vowels.

Being enclosed by the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, and with poor land communication with the rest of Mexico, Yucatecan Spanish has also preserved many words that are no longer used in many other Spanish speaking areas of the world.

Also unique among Yucatecan speakers is the heavy use of diminutive language that shows affection towards even mundane objects. However, with the improvement in transportation and especially with the overwhelming presence of radio and TV, their isolation has eroded, and many outside elements of culture and language are now slowly but consistently permeating the culture.

Even if fewer younger Yucatecos are fluent in Mayan today, it is still the second language of the State. Many students now choose to learn a foreign language like English, which is taught in most schools.