Before You Sign Anything in Panama, Take 60 Seconds to Do This
Panama is a genuinely exciting place to put down roots.
Whether you’re renting your first apartment to get a feel for the city, buying a stunning apartment with ocean views in a PH Building, or exploring property in one of the beach or mountain communities outside Panama City, there is real opportunity here — and a growing, welcoming community of expats who made the move and haven’t looked back.
Panama City has the third highest number of skyscrapers in the Western Hemisphere — trailing only New York and Chicago — so yes, those ocean views from the penthouse are very much a real thing.
Like any real estate market, though, Panama has its own rules and quirks, and knowing them upfront makes the whole process smoother.
One of the most important: real estate agents in Panama are required to hold a valid license issued by the Junta Técnica de Bienes Raíces, or JTBR. This applies whether someone is helping you find a rental or guiding you through a purchase.
In your home country, you probably never thought to check this — it was just assumed. In Panama, it’s worth a quick verification, and it’s easier than you might think. Our own platform, Panacomps has a free, complementary real estate advisor check tool that lets you confirm your agent’s (or broker’s) credentials before you get too far into the process.
Think of it the same way you’d think about checking reviews before booking a hotel or confirming a contractor’s license before a renovation.
It’s just good practice — and in Panama, it’s a particularly useful habit to build early.
Before you sign a lease, sign a purchase agreement, or pay any kind of deposit, run the check.
Learn why licensing matters for your real estate agent in Panama.
Protect your investment. Protect your peace.
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xo We left the USA for Panama🇺🇸🇵🇦 and Real Talk Panama | Expat Life