The long awaited decline in Panama’s real estate market and is here and will be more of a readjustment than a decline. The Panama real estate boom started roughly ten years ago fueled by ready foreign cash and low prices in Panama.
The long awaited decline in Panama’s real estate market and is here and will be more of a readjustment than a decline. Because of credit concerns at home there are fewer foreign buyers in the high end of Panama’s real estate investment market. What will likely happen is that projects on hold will stay on hold for now. Developers may well redesign their buildings to sell more, smaller apartments thus taking the pressure off of the middle range of Panama’s housing market. The beneficiaries of the upcoming shuffle in the Panama real estate market may be middle class Panamanians who have become more prosperous but have been caught in an inflationary squeeze. Panama Real Estate Boom The Panama real estate boom started roughly ten years ago fueled by ready foreign cash and low prices in Panama. The current reduction in the high end of the market will make those units more affordable and a redirecting of construction back to smaller units will help keep the lid on prices in the mid range of the market. Panama Inflation Historically Panama has had little inflation. Then, three years ago the price of living started to rise. Despite the bite taken out of Panamanians paychecks the housing boom continued, fueled by foreign investment and Panama’s increasingly prosperous middle class. The recent drop in energy prices, lower construction costs due to cheaper raw materials, and the expected drop in the costs of consumer goods will help recreate the low prices that existed at the start of Panama’s real estate investment boom. Shuffle in the Housing Market ABPanama believes that apartment buildings under construction will see some redesign in order to sell smaller, lower priced units to local buyers. ABPanama is still seeing buyers from North America, Great Britain, Continental Europe, and throughout Latin America. Despite the hype in the media there are still buyers with ready cash who are taking advantage of deals in the current pause in the Panama real estate investment market. ABPanama also believes that now is an ideal time to pick up a good deal in the high end housing market. Many buildings have apartment and condo owners who have purchased multiple units expecting to profit from Panama’s continued market appreciation. Many of these investors are looking to get out of uncomfortable situations and are willing to sell at attractive prices. Where to Invest Despite the current fluctuation in high end housing values the basis of the Panama economy is strong. Panama added jobs last year. In the coming year it is the consensus of local and international economists that Panama’s economy will grow between 4 and 6.5%. That is a drop for the 10% growth of recent years but substantially better than the recession ridden economies throughout the world. ABPanama recommends that investors look at commercial real estate in Panama. The continued strength of local Panamanian businesses provides a strong rental market unencumbered by rental controls. Panama remains the site of the Panama Canal and when the Panama Canal Expansion is completed, and the world economic problems straighten themselves out, Panama will have doubled it capacity to transport goods from ocean to ocean. Many port expansion projects will be competed and almost any business associated with the transport of goods will be successful. That applies to those smart enough to purchase real estate during a slump and reap the rewards of increasing lease payments for years to come. Rental to international companies relocating to Panama is also attractive as multinationals come to Panama to take advantage of the central location to the Americas, Panama’s business friendly environment, and a location at the transportation hub of the Americas. If you are interest in taking advantage of excellent investment opportunities in Panama residential and commercial real estate contact us at ABPanama. We have over 23 years experience managing real estate portfolios and do business throughout Panama.
