In an era where anyone with a brochure can call themselves a developer, investing without data is like walking blindfolded through a construction site. This is the true story of a foreign investor who nearly bought into the hype—until a Movara study changed everything.

THE BACKGROUND

In Q3 2024, a client from Toronto was ready to invest in a pre-construction project in Costa Del Este, lured by promises of “high ROI” and “only 5 units left.” Before wiring the deposit, he reached out to Movara.

WHAT THE MARKET STUDY REVEALED

• The average price per m² in Costa del Este had declined by 4.3% over 12 months.
• There was an oversupply of Airbnb-friendly developments in the area and no proven demand for the concept.
• The developer had a delivery time delay in similar buildings.
• No comparable units had been successfully rented in the past 12 months, making the projections completely untrue.

THE OUTCOME

The investor chose instead to redirect his capital to a mixed-use project in another area of the city with high commercial foot traffic and 2x faster absorption rates. That project is now fully rented, generating steady income.

LESSON LEARNED

• Pre-construction in Panama could be a bad or great idea—we tell you when and we back it up with data.
• Investing in market study can save you six figures.
• Market studies are no longer optional—they're your first layer of due diligence.

Want to know if your next investment is a gold mine—or a trap? Request your study from Movara now.