Are You Thinking About Buying In One Of the Chiriquí Developments?
Apr 29th, 2007 by Don Ray
I have heard that there are over 20 developments going on in Boquete and of course there are more spread throughout the Chiriquí Province. I was talking to someone the other day who said they had come in contact with a person who was here for three days and was chomping at the bit to get his piece of heaven bought. I think this example is more common than I would like to believe.
People with more money than sense are willing to come down here and plop their money down (over a weekend) because they hear that prices are going up and they don’t want to miss out. Well dear hearts, this isn’t like developments in the US where you can take many things for granted. Here you should check multiple times, ask multiple questions and then believe ½ of the answers you receive, especially if they are coming from one that profits from a sale.
If you think you can come down and spend a small amount of time and then return to your homeland to wait for your paradisiacal abode to be built, then you will soon become one of Panama’s groups of complainers. If you are here for a very limited time you will probably be a good target for one of the major developments that are underway (many times just on paper).
You are most likely one of those that think you would prefer living in one of those gated communities because you would be able to socialize with the more affluent. You may think that you won’t have to invest any time learning Spanish and if very lucky, you might not even have to associate with any Panamanians. You may also get sucked into those “more secure” sales pitches.
You can probably tell that I am not a big fan of the “Country Club Of the Week” developments that are here, underway, or on billboards lining the road from David to Boquete. None the less, I also don’t want these developments to have money dumped into them and then the purchasers being disgruntled because this will have a very negative effect on Panama, its people and in some small way on me.
If you are thinking about one of these developments, you should do yourself a favor and ask a lot of questions of the developers. Ask how the infrastructure is going to be built to support the development. Who is providing the money for the infrastructure improvements? Who is putting in the electricity? What is the projected load capacity on the electric providers and when will the providers be able to support that load. Ask where the water is going to come from for the development. Ask if there will be any building codes that prevent you from putting in your own reserve water tank? Unless it is planned for in the house plans, it will be unsightly and most likely not appreciated within your neighbor’s view. Ask who your Internet provider is and see if you are going to have to pay exorbitant rates because it is a private company associated with the development. Ask who is going to be picking up your trash and where it is going to be dumped. Then ask for directions so you can go look at the dumpsite.
If you come here, I truly want you to be happy. I am tired of going to Boquete and sitting in a restaurant and listening to a table of gringos complaining about how it is different than it was in the US or Canada or wherever. If you come here I would like for you to be part of a solution rather than a piece of a problem. Many come to Panama and love it. I am one of them. However, many come here and within six months the newness has worn off and they are miserable. These are usually people who have chosen to not integrate themselves into the community. These are usually the ones that bought without thinking and testing the waters.
If you come here with no experience and are not planning on getting experience before buying, I think there is a 85% chance you are going to be unhappy about something here. I recommend that you come down and rent for a while before you buy. Talk to others that are here and get their opinions and ask for their experience. Do your homework as if your future was at stake. It well might be.
If you come, then come to enjoy. If you come then don’t come and complain. If you come, then try to make Panama glad it let you come.
Well Don; you are correct in everything you are saying. I am a panamanian and agree with you 100%. I think if people planning to come to Panama should listen to the local spanish radio and television stations and hear all the complaints people have with bad roads and water supply, and how slow is the goverment to respond. Sometimes people here in the US ask me about living Panama and I tell them is no for everybody.
And I think panamanian people, in the long run, are not going to tolerate having another Canal Zone and you people are not going to like seeing signs everywhere saying “gringo go home”. I am glad to see all the good changes going on in Panama and of course in Chiriqui, but at the same time, would not like to loose our culture.
Hi La Chiricana. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment and sharing your thoughts. Any change will affect a host’s culture. Thhis can definitely be seen in the changes that have gone on in the US over the last 50 years. I think all cultures evolve. Nothing stays the same for ever. I just want changes here to be as positive as possible.
As usual you are “right on” with your comments, Don. Kim and I made 8 trips to Panama over a 3 year period before we bought our property. Every time we were there, we were told that we should “buy now - before the prices go up more”. I was more concerned in making the “right decision for us” as opposed to “buying cheap, so I could sell high” as is the mentality of so many others who have come to Panama. It takes time to make good “local contacts” (and also learn who the crooks are) that are so very important in making a Panamaian land deal come together. The good news is, we have purchased a beautiful piece of property for a very reasonable price and we look forward to developing it for our “tropical retreat”. We also look forward to integrating into the local community and enjoying Panama for it’s beauty and diversity.
Hi Rob. Glad to get your feeback. I know you invested a lot of time and I am quite sure you are going to enjoy your investment.
Just saying hello by my cell phone! I am wondering, is this really working!Nice day to you,
Hi Leena. This is the first communications I have ever had from Finland via cell phone! Thanks for thinking about us over here in Panama.
Hi Don;
I agree as well. We purchased back in July of ‘05 and qualify as on of those impulsive buyers, but not for any of the reasons that you have listed. We did purchase in Valle Escondido and can say that, for us, it was the right decision. I can say that, as with most stereotypes, the ones about VE are only partly true.
One of the big events in VE lately is the activation of the homeowner’s steering committee. This is an important step as it give a voice to the residents and transitions duties (and responsibilities) from the developer. I’m happy to say that the volunteers are doing a good job and spend a lot of time communicating with the residents, clarifying policy, budgets, etc. My advice, if buying in a gated community, read the CCRs completely before putting any money down. When I asked for the CCRs, the sales folks acted as if I were the only one to ever ask for it before putting down a deposit. If I didn’t like the rules, I wasn’t going to buy, so I got my way. I suggest others do the same if they are buying in a community.
We love it every time we visit Panama and envy those that can be there full time. Chiriquichatter helps keep us connected and we thank you for that.
Greg
Hi Greg. Thanks for your input. I didn’t intend to cast dispersions on all developments. I did want to put questions in people’s minds before listening to all the propaganda. With as many developments going on now as there are, there needs to be some voice of reason to counter all the “there is only heaven here” websites that are out there. Once a development is complete and the residents are in charge, then the is when the real test comes into play. A development can be correct for many people. However, I do believe that a development is not an island and if the purpose of living in a development is to not mix with the locals, then it will eventually be a problem.
My concern, with all this building all over the county, the demand on the Water Supply is not being implement for it growth by the developers ( As seen in Vulcan). Also, reading your input of days with no water. I have been in a beautiful home ($250,000) just below bouquete with panoramic view of Baru - No water, it was for sale. I wonder why? We have plans on living there in a couple years, I hope that the officials start enforcing these developers of their responsibility
Hi Kielbasadox. Yes the developer will tell you not to worry because the municipality is going to provide what is needed. The municipality on the other hand doesn’t have the money and will wait until someone with money steps forward.
The builder wants his money up front because he needs to make his development “look” pretty because most people will buy without asking questions if it looks nice, thinking if it looks nice all the infrastructure must be in place.
They will make nice looking roads and rock fences and gorgeous entries into the development but the important things may be nothing more than talk. My point is people need to be asking the tough questions before they part with their money.
Well said, Don.
Your little article is the best I’ve ever read on this subject, and should be required reading for anyone contemplating a move to Panama.
Hi Gordo. Thanks for dropping in. I appreciate your comment. If it causes one person to ask some questions that helps him, then it was worth reading. There is plenty to be enjoyed here and there is also plenty of things lurking in the bushes waiting to bite you in the butt.
Hi again;
One of the main reasons that we bought in a development is that it was the only way to get my wife on board with the idea of owning and eventually living in Panama. Almost across the board (from people we have met), the men love Panama and the wives are a bit slower to adjust. I think that it has to do with food, shopping, friends and family more than anything. For us, we’re very much connected to the outdoors and spend our time in Panama exploring and enjoying the area. I think that your comments are accurate and not dispersions, so no need to explain. Happy Labor Day.
Greg
Hi again Greg. I definitely understand that wives’ opinions rank at the top of the list. If there is one sure way to come to Panama and be unhappy it is for your wife to be happy!
Don,
As many have commented, we (my wife and I) also enjoy checking into your website every now and again. You seem to be very consistant in “telling it like IT is”. What is particularly comforting is that you do a good job in differentiating topics that you personally witness or experience, from those that you learn of through “hear say”.
My wife and I have been [web] surfing Panama for about a year now - getting close to retirement - will it be Panama? We plan on visiting next summer for a few months, and renting in the Boquete area. Naturally we haven’t ruled any area out yet but Boquete seems to have the weather, scenery, and serenity we are looking for. Our preference for permanent residence would be a “gated community”, but would not want to be discriminated against, or be considered by the locals as “one of those gringos” liviing the good life! My wife is just about the friendliest person on earth. It would break her heart to look into a Panamanian’s eyes and see hate.
We have come to respect your opinion, so, from your experience in the Boquete area, what is your read on how the Boquetees (Bow-KET-t’s?) feel about the folks that live in gated communities? And I am not talking about a local shop owner who just sold us a vehicle, or a microwave oven. I am talking about the folks on the street. One, if not the most important reason we are going to rent for as extended a period of time that we can, is to experience the people. After all, it is the PEOPLE that make a place a HOME!
Thanks Don - have a good one!
John,
I can’t speak to Boquete directly as I live part time in the Coronado area in a “gated community.” The developer is a Panamanian. The nationalities of the property owners are all over the board, including a significant number of Panamanians. So it isn’t a North American or European enclave. I have had no issues that I am aware of due to my living in a gated community. I agree with Don Ray that treating people civilly and with respective is appropriate.
The fact that we are in a vacation area may have something to do with how people are treated - I don’t know. Nonetheless I feel comfortable living here and the more spanish that I learn the better.
Hi Rob. Thanks for the comment.