Panama Real Estate Blog

Media sources from Modern Maturity to Conde Nast have given Panama high ranking as a spot for retirement and/or second homes. Panama has almost everything: rain forests, a diverse eco-system, pristine beaches, fertile farmland, highlands with mild climate, intact indigenous cultures and a world-class capital.

Panama wants to attract residents and businesses, and is working hard to do it. One way is by cutting the red tape. Requirements for the pensionada visa are minimal. You only need to prove that you have good health, no criminal record and an income of $500 per month ($100 additional for each dependent). If you buy a home for $200,000 or more, no matter your age, you can get a residency visa.
If you prefer, you can buy a home and enjoy many privileges on just a tourist visa, which can be renewed for up to 90 days. At the end of 90 days, you make a brief trip out of the country then return. Some expats do this for years.

The pensionada program lets you bring Read more

MIGRATORY retirees have lent more than a touch of gray to Florida, Arizona and Southern California. Next stop on the aging boomer bandwagon: Panama.
AT HOME Honey Dodge, front right, and her husband, Larry, back left, who moved to Panama, welcome guests to their bed-and-breakfast.
With low housing and living costs, a stable political environment, relatively safe streets and that tropical climate, people in their 50’s and early 60’s are flocking to the Central American nation, rather than working for a few more years to scrape together enough money for a condo on the Florida coast.
“We’re seeing a significant number of Americans coming here to retire,” said William Ostick, a spokesman for the United States Embassy in Panama City. “Panama as a nation is trying to attract people who want to build second homes here, but a lot of them are selling their homes in the U.S. and just buying here.”
Mr. Ostick said Read more

Buying a home is, for many of us, the most substantial, single investment we’ll ever make. Knowing this, most homeowners provide for the security and safekeeping of their homes by insuring them against hazards such as fire, theft and weather damage. Yet, another hazard can pose an even greater risk to home ownership: defects in the title.

Title defects can cause a homeowner to lose part or all of the investments in real property. Fortunately, you can protect your investment from these title defects, by purchasing title insurance.

Here are some frequently asked questions and answers regarding title insurance and its importance in your real estate investment.

What is title?

Title is a collective term that makes up your legal rights to own, possess, use, control and dispose of land. Title takes into account all previous ownership, uses and transfers. In order to legally transfer real estate property, a title search must be performed, and in most cases, the title must be determined as clear or free of defects or encumbrances.

What is a title defect or encumbrance?

Read more