When Panama reopens, property buyers seize major properties around Panama City. In the second quarter, Punta Pacifica Realty continued to see unprecedented sales and rental activities, particularly in luxury real estate offering comfortable styles.
According to our latest data, sales prices in the second quarter grew 5 to 7 percent in top buildings from the last quarter of 2020. It becomes harder to find motivated sellers and buyers begin to compete for major real estate. With the low prices of quarantine in the past, FOMO – fear of missing out – is becoming a reality, with lower-quality resale homes on the market and many of the city’s major developments selling out their best prefabricated units.
In the second quarter, we saw many of the same trends we identified in the first quarter continue as more countries around the world relaxed restrictions. We posted record sales in the first quarter and we surpassed those numbers in the second quarter. Although rental prices are still declining from their pre-coveted numbers, occupancy has grown significantly across the PPR portfolio of more than 300 properties, with occupancy levels steadily above 90 percent.
Again, we see the huge performance in the high-level developments, especially the few developments that offer an aquatic lifestyle. Sales on Ocean Reef, the man-made islands in the Gulf of Panama, are on fire. The first phase of Seascape, the charity community on the second island of Ocean Reef, is now completely exhausted. The second phase Seascape was recently released by advertising “family and friends” and nearly 70% sold, even before the official launch, with 11 sales in recent weeks.
Construction began on Seascape, which usually signals the next phase in prebuilding prices. But with such a limited supply available, we doubt that the remaining units will last very long.
Across Panama City, we have seen a focus on high-quality units with superior amenities. With many buyers worried about the changes in the global economy, this is a classic “flight to quality.” While many buildings in Panama City see little or no sales, the main buildings are very busy.
Marquises are still in high demand. During the second, two marquees in Seascape sold, for $ 1.9 million and $ 1.2 million, respectively. The last apartments on Waterfront 21 sold for close to $ 2 million. In Almar, the last units were also sold for $ 2 million and construction has begun, another sign that Panamanian real estate is in the middle of a healthy cycle.
Investors continue to focus on resort accommodations with the highest quality amenities. In the second quarter, PPR signed 14 sales contracts in the Yoo Panama at Balboa Avenue and 11 contracts in The Ocean Club, the waterfront tower that remains the icon of Panama City.
Wanders and Yoo, the much-discussed designer-centered downtown tower, continue to attract investor attention. The tower touches on many of the recent trends, including a holiday lifestyle, main amenities and main location. PPR’s sales team put together six new sales contracts for the Wanders and Yoo in the second quarter.
Similarly interested in Santa Maria, the gateway golf course community minutes from downtown. The House of Fendi House – another international designer name – and the Reserve were particularly popular, largely due to a drastic increase in buyers from Peru looking for a home with more political stability.
In the second half of the year, we expect continued investment flow from Peru and other regions experiencing political turmoil in South America as travel borders begin to relax. We also expect increased activity from Canada, which saw nearly zero trips during the pandemic. As active as it was through the first half of the year, we expect to see growth in interest as more markets open up to travel; we are still a long way from “normal”.
As we return to a fully open status, we will continue to follow many of the trends that propelled the Panamanian market ahead of the pandemic. Economists predict solid growth in Panama over the next two years, led by commercial, mining and infrastructure projects that have always made Panama a solid investment.
In addition, the international community is just beginning to absorb the recent changes to the housing programs in Panama, including a new form of “Golden Visa” launched last November. The new Visa Investor of Panama provides an easy way to housing to invest even just $ 300,000 in real estate.
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