Canadians & Surfers — deal finders!
In nature, there are interesting indicators of future events.  Animals behave oddly prior to a natural disaster, certain bugs in your garden can indicate a good harvest, red sky at night = sailor’s delight, and so forth.  After a decade in Costa Rica and six years in Panama, I have [...]

Filed under: Real Estate on October 29th, 2010 | 1 Comment »

my picks for Panama deal seekers
There may be a global financial crisis going on, but if Panama’s real estate asking prices are any indicator, that memo never made it to Panama.
During the Panama real estate boom of 2005-2007, crowds of investors were playing fast and loose with money like a sailor on shore leave.  [...]

Filed under: Business, Real Estate on March 30th, 2010 | 2 Comments »

is an indoor ski resort what Panama tourism needs?
I have compared Panama to Dubai several times in previous articles, rarely intending flattery. After attending the annual AMCHAM Tourism Forum a few weeks ago (report on the way!), it became clear to me that there are two distinctive theories competing for the future direction of Panama [...]

Filed under: Business, Politics, Real Estate on September 27th, 2009 | 9 Comments »

rent prices in Panama City, Panama are falling
When I first came to Panama in 2004, I was impressed by the affordable the cost of living for such a cosmopolitan town.  I rented a spacious, fairly new, furnished, ocean-glimpse apartment in El Cangrejo with for $600 per month. In 2004, a beer at the neighborhood bar [...]

Filed under: Business, Real Estate on August 31st, 2009 | 17 Comments »

Panama put the real estate cart before the tourism horse
For the past 5 years, I have shouted to the rafters my beliefs on the vital role that tourism must play in Panama’s economic development.  When putting forth this concept here in Panama, I am often met with the following reactions:

Blank stares
Laughter
Anger

Some of these reactions seem [...]

Filed under: Business, Politics, Real Estate on August 27th, 2009 | 3 Comments »

Panama City’s Skyline Growth Is Slowing
As Panama’s real estate boom teeters ever closer towards a little town I call “Bustville”, I am amazed by those in denial, who still shout to the rafters such brilliant defense as, “the fundamentals are still strong!” or “this is a different market”. These and other lines are too reminiscent [...]

Filed under: Business, Real Estate on August 10th, 2009 | 9 Comments »

Over the past six years, I’ve poured my personal life savings into various businesses and properties Panama.  Lately, I’ve had moments when I’m not completely sure WHY.
Now that this global financial crunch has turned many investor’s lives upside down, I’ve had my own time to pause and re-think my strategy for investing in Panama.  I’ve [...]

Filed under: Business, News, Real Estate on May 4th, 2009 | 4 Comments »

View of Panama City from Casco Viejo
As I approach my mid-30s, in addition to a nagging rotator cuff and vanishing hairline, I have also lived long enough to witness three economic downturns.  My first experience was the stock market collapse of 1987.  I remember “Black Monday” distinctly, because my 8th grade Civics teacher spent the [...]

Filed under: Business, Living & Retirement, Politics, Real Estate on April 6th, 2009 | 22 Comments »

Panama City, Panama is featuring in the news of late for its real estate boom that spanned the past several years, and is marked to result in empty units and falling prices. Due in part to speculation, and exacerbated by the global financial crisis, downtown Panama’s busy skyline of cranes and construction sites is all [...]

Filed under: Real Estate on February 23rd, 2009 | 5 Comments »

There is a global economic crisis taking place, and no matter how much the Panamanian government wants to deny it, Panama is feeling the effects. No one expects Panamanian officials to harp on the doom and gloom, but it’s time to get realistic.

Filed under: News, Real Estate on December 18th, 2008 | 7 Comments »

For the most part, Panama offers a safe and secure environment to buy and sell real estate. Unfortunately, there are some loop holes in Panama’s laws that can leave a person homeless.

Filed under: News, Real Estate on November 11th, 2008 | 3 Comments »

Panama Needs More Developers Willing To Preserve Nature
It seems all too often in Panama developers care little about the environment or preserving the natural beauty of this country. Trees get destroyed, land is razed and animals are forced out of their natural habitat. Luckily there are some builders in Panama that take their responsibility to [...]

Filed under: Business, Living & Retirement, News, Real Estate on October 20th, 2008 | 1 Comment »

Playita Del Faro on Isla Iguana
Yet another warning about buying real estate in Panama. One of Panama’s most beautiful island’s is apparently for sale. I came across a real estate listing for a 6 hectare oceanfront lot on Isla Iguana. This ad was placed by a real estate agency in Panama and also on Craigslist.

Filed under: News, Real Estate on October 6th, 2008 | 2 Comments »

Boat transport to one of Azuero’s island national parks
By now, most sun worshipers are familiar with names like Cabo San Lucas (Mexico), Manuel Antonio (Costa Rica), Puerta Plata (D.R.) and Negril (Jamaica), but if you rattle off “Azuero Peninsula” at a cocktail party, you’re likely to be met with wide eyed stares.
Panama is well [...]

Filed under: Country Guide, Real Estate on September 15th, 2008 | 1 Comment »

Buying Real Estate In Panama Is A Tricky Business
Panama is often touted as one of the best places to buy real estate. Aside from rising prices, there are some aspects of the real estate business that you must know before buying property in Panama.

Filed under: Living & Retirement, News, Real Estate on September 10th, 2008 | 1 Comment »