Investing in real estate in Panama has been a hot market for quite some time, and it shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Panama has a great real estate market for a number of reasons, and because of it, draws hundreds of millions of dollars in annual investment in properties and projects. Whether it’s commercial real estate, luxury residential real estate, urban real estate, beach real estate, or tourism-based development, Panama runs the gamut as far as options available to the buyer (or renter). To give you a peak of what the market is actually like, and why you should invest in Panama real estate, here are 5 solid reasons to do so:
1. Diversity
One of the biggest factors in Panama’s hot real estate market is the diversity of properties and projects available. As mentioned before, Panama not only leads in hotels and residential development, but also commercial development. This is great for people and companies who want to invest in Panama because it gives them a variety of options and prices to choose from. A diverse market means a competitive market, and that’s great for business from both the buyer, and seller’s perspectives.
2. New Construction
Panama has lead the region for new construction for years now, and the trend continues to build. Panama City alone currently has 19 new skyscrapers under construction, as well as a $600 million affordable housing area (to be the biggest in the country’s history) slated to begin development in the city’s suburbs. New construction provides great investment opportunities as it drives down prices for pre-construction property, and allows flexibility in property types. It also provides ancillary investment opportunities. There are hundreds of businesses (supplies, transportation, logistics, staffing) that support these new projects; and this offers great investment opportunity as well.
3. Price
While Panama real estate prices are steadily rising, there are still some great deals to be had when it comes to investment. Panama’s luxury market is on par with many non-luxury markets in the US, which means not only will your money go farther, but so will the value of what you get. Plus, with steadily rising real estate prices, you are almost guaranteed to make money off your investment, both short-term and long-term.
4. Location
One of the biggest draws to invest in real estate in Panama is its location. Panama is the most centrally located hub in all of the Americas, making it ideal for international business and trade. It also has a major airport, and one of the largest shipping lanes in the world, which makes it logistically perfect for business. On top of that, Panama has a tropical climate and year-round summer, which is a major draw for both tourism and relocation.
5. The US Dollar
When looking to make an international investment, a strong and stable currency is critical. Panama is one of a few countries in the region that uses the US Dollar as its official currency*, and the most economically prosperous and stable country among those that do. The US Dollar allows for much more long-term investments, and draws many investors from all over the world, who don’t want to risk losing money on their investment to currency runs, or destabilization. Panama also has very little inflation, meaning that your real estate investment will maintain a stable price, even in the case of an economic downturn.
