Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Linda Neil

Pioneer. Visionary. Matriarch of Baja Sur Real Estate.

It’s impossible to imagine the story of Baja California Sur’s real estate market, or its transformation into the #1 luxury tourism destination in the Americas, without the name Linda Neil. A true pioneer, Linda devoted nearly five decades of her life to shaping a region and an industry that now stands as a beacon of possibility, beauty, and cross-cultural connection.

As the founder and CEO of The Settlement Company, and the force behind the first title insurance company in Mexico, Linda didn’t just build a business—she built a foundation. Her work made it possible for foreigners to invest securely and confidently in Mexico, opening the door for thousands to find a second home, a dream property, or simply a new beginning in paradise. Her influence can be found in the systems she helped create, the standards she established, and the countless lives she touched.

But Linda’s true legacy extends far beyond her professional accomplishments. It lives in her generous heart, her fearless spirit, and the way she welcomed people into her life.

We met Linda not in a boardroom, but in her home in Uruapan—thanks to a musician who thought we should meet. Two strangers from Morelia drove two hours for what became the beginning of a cherished friendship. From our first visit, Linda welcomed us with open arms, her warmth immediate and unforgettable. We were honored to share Thanksgiving with her last year—a memory we will treasure forever.

With Linda’s guidance and belief in us, we took a leap and began our own real estate journey in Baja Sur. She saw potential, and she offered encouragement. Like she had done with so many before us, she showed us that a life full of purpose, partnership, and place was possible here. She even encouraged us to work together, as she had done for so many years with her beloved husband, John.

Linda became the matriarch of our Mexican-American family, inspiring us not just with her achievements, but with her deep love for this land and its people. She believed in community. She believed in progress rooted in sustainability. And she believed in the powerful beauty that emerges when cultures blend—when American drive meets Mexican soul—and a place becomes more than just a destination, but a home with a unique identity in every town.

We will miss her deeply. But we carry her legacy forward—with integrity, with heart, and with a commitment to the values she lived by.

Linda gifted us this well-loved road map of Baja Sur the last time we saw her in La Paz a few months ago.  There were a lot less roads on this Baja California road map from AAA of Southern California in 1989.

We promise to honor what you built, brick by brick, heart to heart.

Con cariño y respeto,

The Fitz Team | Adriana Fitzgerald and Peter Fitzgerald