Question re: real estate down payment

[laconstance]

When I bought my house early in 2007, I was told by my notario that it is illegal for notarios to "keep" the down payment. No such thing as escrow, as Americans know it. So, I had the unnerving experience of carrying around thousands of dollars in U.S. cash ($100 bills) until we could sign the contract to buy and the money could be counted out to the seller over the desk at the notario's office! The notario was in no way involved with the money.

By the way, if you do bring cash for your down payment, be sure that you inspect every bill given to you by your U.S. Bank. Americans are not particularly fussy about money, and accept worn, tattered, and even taped bills. But M?xicans are fussy. Don't bring any bill that is marked, dog-eared, worn, or not otherwise perfect.