The value of property in areas such as Amador, Balboa, Clayton and Albrook, has registered increases of up to 300% in the last ten years.  I can remember reading about property being sold here in Panama right after the reverted lands hit the market and how much money people would make.  I folded up the Miami Herald and went back to work in Miami.  Huge mistake on my part.  What I have learned over the years is that the cycle will continue and Panama is still cheap compared to Miami, Singapore and Hong Kong.

The proximity to the city, the vegetation surrounding the area and the security offered are some of the factors which have increased the value of these areas. For example, in Clayton, an apartment now worth about $160,000, cost about $35,000 ten years ago. A duplex home can be found for a price of $450 thousand, whereas a decade ago it cost only $80,000. Currently they are 1720.90 acres to be zoned and 3679.77 hectares to be ordered.

Martesfinanciero.com reports that “… The reverted areas are perhaps the most valued lands on the Panamanian market. When homes were first sold through the Interoceanic Region Authority (ARI) -today the Administrative Unit for Reverted Properties (UABR) – the base price was economical, as it was between $50,000 and $60,000. Its value has doubled and they now sell for $120,000. ”

José Antonio Serracín, executive secretary of the UABR, notes that “… To make it more dynamic auctions are being promoted so that more participants attend … The reverted properties are attractive to any local or foreign people interested because they are ‘good areas’ available in Panama and Colon. Large parcels of land are available, but they are segregated because ‘that way it is easier to sell them’. The land use for these properties (commercial, residential or other) depends on the area. But this is the responsibility of the Ministry of Housing and Land Management (Miviot), and not the UABR. “