La Pintada… A Great Place to Invest

Many times people come to a country like Panama and head to the gated communities and the new developments. However some people will look to find a great location, where they can assimilate with the people of Panama. La Pintada in the high hills above Penonome is one of those locations. It is about 2 hours from Panama City and it is farming country. Cattle and citrus crops seem to be the biggest farming enterprises. Here we also find a wonderful bed and breakfast and a great Steak House; enterprises started by expats.

As we toured the area we came across this beautiful, well tended farm. Horses and cattle seem to be what they are raising but the whole thing was attractive and tastefully managed.

I couldn’t help thinking how the farm houses and out building would make a wonderful bed and breakfast or a dude ranch. I don’t know if it is for sale, but it certainly was attractive

So bring your entrepreneurial spirit and find the place to create your dream. It may not be in a development where the prices are high. You may find a tract of land and decide you would like to set up a dude ranch or a spot where you can take people into the foothills and enjoy nature. The new government of Panama is committed to supporting and encouraging green tourism.

Your ideas and your energy will find a welcoming home.

Panama awaits

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The New Face of Panama

One of the things that is dramatically changing is the height of buildings around Panama. While single family homes are still the most common form of housing, the development of condo projects has grown exponentially in the last 40 years from nothing, to this sort of amazing collection of condos.  On the Pacific beaches and in the interior around Boquete and on the Caribbean in Bocas Del Toro there are amazing residential communities which are all governed by the same law that governs these high rise developments.

There are also numerous new malls springing up all over the place to provide services to these new condo dwellers.

Like many places in the world with condo developments, Panama has had to create and bring into force laws that would allow them to sell condominiums and so the Horizontal Property Act was born. This law not only covers the high rise condominiums like you see in this picture but also covers the many beach front communities that are springing up all over Panama. Just be sure you have your lawyer carefully reviews the Horizontal Property law with you and the By-laws as it relates to the development that you are considering buying into.

There are even developments that are not covered under the Horizontal Property Act and if this is the case then you really need some understanding of how your rights will be protected and how the rights of other home owners may affect your rights and how those rights are being enforced.

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Boquete is hopping

I just sent some friends up to Boquete to take a look at another part of this beautiful country.  That is one of the amazing things about Panama, you can travel short distances and be in a completely different environment.  We are on the beach, in a dry area of the country and Boquete is a mountainous, garden paradise.  It is so high they can grow fantastic coffee that wins awards for best coffee in the world, around them much of the local produce is grown and it is much cooler.  When you choose to live in Panama you can choose to live in one of two seasons, Spring or Summer.  Boquete is spring as the temperatures never get much above 75 F

Turns out a lot of people like spring as the area was so full they had an extremely tough time finding accommodation.  The town is quickly recovering from the damage caused by the unusually heavy rains at the end of November, 2008.  The coffee crop is ripening nicely. There is lots and lots of construction happening and from the overflowing tourist traffic it appears there are still lots of  people looking to move here.

In some ways the down turn in the economies of the older more established countries like those of Europe and North America has been good for Panama.  People are taking their smaller nest eggs and running to somewhere  that is still affordable, where you can live a high quality life on a reasonable income.

Real estate still costs far, far less than it does in most established countries, and for the amenities of the location there is just no comparison.  Dream homes on golf courses can still be had for $400,000.00.  where else is that possible?  Beach homes, are 1/5th the cost of Costa Del Sol in Spain or Santa Barbera in the US.

So while condos in the city are definitely decreasing in price, and deals may be found, for those looking for a more tranquil setting, the beaches and the mountainous retreats are still very popular and lots of people are looking for their piece of paradise.

I just spoke to a realtor in Coronado, a beach area, one hour from Panama City.  She has sold 3 hones in the past week and has two sales pending.  This is just one realtor.

You be the judge.  Come and see for yourself what all the excitement is about in Panama.

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Las Nubes

Las Nubes in Spanish means “The Clouds” and this particular development in El Valle de Anton is defintiely in the clouds.  But what a view!  Remember that song, “On a Clear Day you cn see forever…”  Well here it is true.  There are certain lots in Las Nubes where you can see both the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans.  That is pretty much forever…!

This is a relatively new development in El Valle and it must have been some challenge getting all the infrastructure in for this development as it is way , way up at the top of the old volcano wall.  But now all the utilities are in and all the wires are underground, the roads are paved, and house construction is starting.  There are two homes already completed, the show home and a private residence.  They are jaw droppingly spectacular, especially the private residence which is all glass front looking out over a beautiful valley that drops off below the house.

We arrived on one of those sunny clear days.  You could see El Valle far below, you  could see the farms all around the valley, you could see off to the oceans n both directions, you could see…  It was breathtaking!  No wonder people are buying lots and building these amazing architectural wonders. Your dream home away from the maddening crowds and yet only 12 minutes, maybe less, to the heart of El Valle on great roads.

I suspect dehumidifiers are going to be necessary as the days it is in  the clouds it is going to be humid but on those clear days, on those clear days.  Well you’ll just have to come and see for yourself.

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Cielo Paraiso – Boquete Golf, Spa and Nature Preserve

Live a life far from the ordinary at Cielo Paraiso in beautiful Boquete, Panama. Cielo Paraiso offers Estate Homesites and Luxury Custom Homes with unmatched amenities for your every pleasure. Enjoy the Spa, Nature Preserve and 18 hole Championship Golf on a Nature Preserve set in Boquete, Panama. For more information…Click Here

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