Panama is an emerging market for international real estate investors and has much to offer, including a tropical climate and low prices. Foreigners may buy and sell land in Panama freely and there are no restrictions. There are a few things that should be understood about the purchase process in Panama, though, before jumping in.

Panama has the highest per-capita income, the largest foreign investment and the most highly developed economic infrastructure in Central America. Panama has for some time now been in a privileged position, not just in Central America, but in the western hemisphere. The Panama Canal, built at the start of the 20th century, turned this tiny tropical haven into a major shipping hub for the world’s ocean trade. With the Canal came foreign business and residents, infusing the sleepy paradise with a new energy and bringing the momentum of modernization to Latin America.

There are two types of property that investors will usually look at in Panama, freehold and right of possession, or ROP. Most of the properties for sale are freehold and you should not have any problems as long as the proper due diligence is done. Right of possession land or property is much like squatter’s rights though. There is no official title to the property and it can not be used as collateral for a mortgage. It is perfectly legitimate to buy and sell this property as long as the legal claims are clear, but be aware of it before doing so.

Once the Promise to buy has been signed, the investor’s lawyer will carry out due diligence and title searches. Panama has a Public Registry for titles and is pretty reliable, but a good lawyer will look further than that to make sure everything is okay. If the title search is okay and all conditions have been met, then the final contract is drawn up and closing takes place.

Consider Title insurance a protection against loss arising from problems connected to the title to your property. Properties typically go through several ownership changes, and the land on which it stands went through many more. There may be a weak link at any point in that chain that could emerge to cause trouble.There may be unpaid real estate taxes or someone that feels that has a right to the land. Title insurance covers the insured party for any claims and legal fees that arise out of such problems.

Thailand is a beautiful country with rich heritage and culture.The exotic naturally beauty, alluring landscapes, and moderate climate will offer great retreat to the travelers. For this reason, it is one of the top tourist destinations and continues to draw new arrivals each year. Many of those coming to Thailand eventually decide to remain in the country as expatriates. When seeking to relocate to any country, the issue of home ownership becomes a paramount concern. Hopefully this piece will shed light upon some of the many facets of Thai Property Law.

Obtaining Real Estate or Property in Thailand: In order to stay in Thailand for the long term many people opt to buy Thai Real Estate. Owning a home in Thailand can be a bit of a risky enterprise since Thailand has many laws that preclude foreign ownership of land. However, there are some ways in which a non-Thai can own or control Thai property.

Thailand Condos: Condos in Thailand are a popular choice for many expats. Under Thai law a foreigner is allowed to own a Thai Condominium provided the Condo meets certain requirements laid out in the Thailand Condominium Act.

Thai Real Estate Lease: A long term lease of Thai Real Estate is another attractive option to many prospective foreign Property owners in Thailand. However, there is some misunderstanding regarding Thai leases. Many people believe that Thai leases are automatically renewable and they can last for over 30 years, this is simply not the case.

Thailand Usufruct: A usufruct of Thai property is another possibility. This is much like a life estate under the common law system in that a usufruct can grant a person the right to the use of land for life. There are many formalities that must be kept in mind when drafting a usufruct which is why it is advisable to have a lawyer prepare a usufruct.

Thai Company Formation for Property Ownership: Another method of “owning” property in Thailand is having a Thai company own the property and have a disproportionate number of voting shares allotted to the non-Thai property “owner,” this method allows a non-Thai to keep control of the property while still adhering to Thai law.