| Four the past 4 years I have been observing the | | | | continue to explode in the coming years. It is not a |
| growing trend for Americans and others, mostly | | | | temporary trend. The most popular destinations for |
| Canadains and Brits, to purchase second homes and | | | | Americans seem to be in Latin America, as this is |
| to also relocate to Panama. All we have to do is look | | | | where the dollar exchange is the best. Especially in |
| to the Baby-Boomers to see where the next big | | | | Panama where the U.S. dollar is the local currency! |
| growth industries are going to be. Lee Iacocca knew | | | | Panama, the third largest country in Latin America, is |
| this very well as he led Detroit to major gains first at | | | | emerging as a popular second home destination. "The |
| Ford with the Mustang and again at Chrylser with the | | | | secret is 'out' for Panama, and Americans, especially |
| mini-van. Well the boomers they are aging and guess | | | | retirees, are expected to move there in droves in |
| where they headed? SOUTH! Just watch as the 2nd | | | | coming years," says Hornberger. Comprised of 480 |
| home market continues to thrive. But forget about | | | | miles of terrain linking Costa Rica with Columbia, |
| Florida and the southern states. No, these boomers are | | | | Panama is arguably the hottest investment opportunity |
| much more worldly and are looking even further south | | | | in Central America. Scott Harris has 16 years of real |
| to places like Panama. Relocation to countries which | | | | estate experience, and works in sales and marketing |
| offer a lower cost of living - lower taxes - retiree | | | | for Red Frog Beach in Panama. Harris says, "Panama |
| incentives and a low stress lifestyle are just beginning | | | | is one of the hottest international markets and |
| to see the arrival of the boomers. What's it going to be | | | | Americans and other foreigners are snapping up |
| like when the peak of the Boomer wave hits in 2012? | | | | property like crazy." Jaime Figueroa Navarro is |
| In 2nd Home Journal, Ellen Newbury writes, | | | | President of Panama All In One, Inc. Navarro says that |
| "International Markets Heat Up - Boomers Fuel Second | | | | he has seen the trend in the booming second home |
| Home Buys Abroad. Americans are driving the second | | | | market extend into his country. |
| home market, and redefining it in the process. | | | | "…we're experiencing robust |
| Baby-boomers continue to expand the market with | | | | growth…many baby boomers are |
| their increased buying power. And they have begun to | | | | looking to live here as there are many advantages not |
| turn their attention more seriously to locales outside the | | | | available stateside…for example, the |
| U.S. The move toward international second homes | | | | purchase of a new home or condo comes along with |
| comes is no surprise to the analysts who have | | | | a 20-year homeowner's tax exemption." The local |
| tracked boomers for decades. Globalization and the | | | | currency is the U.S. dollar, making transactions easier |
| internet have made it easy for these adventuresome | | | | for Americans, as well as removing the component of |
| Americans to look beyond U.S. borders for investment | | | | currency fluctuation and potential investment |
| and recreation. Boomers are being romanced by | | | | devaluation. Navarro feels that now is the time to |
| international hot spots, and they're looking to invest in | | | | invest in Panama. He says there are many bargains on |
| the attractive global real estate markets. The National | | | | the market and the potential returns on investments |
| Association of RealtorsÂ(R) (NAR) confirms the | | | | loom large. "…this is where there is the |
| phenomena. "We have seen this trend in Americans | | | | largest business opportunity for the growing number of |
| buying vacation homes abroad," says Jeff Hornberger, | | | | investors and promoters. In Panama now, the rule of |
| International Market Development Manager for the | | | | thumb is, if you build a quality home, it 's |
| NAR. Hornberger says the NAR expects no slow | | | | sold…this trend will continue for the |
| down in the international second home market in the | | | | foreseeable future." Used by permission of Publisher. |
| near future. "The foreign second home market will | | | | |