We have stopped at a couple houses for sale, so if you’re curious or looking at real estate, this might be interesting. 
This is a very nice house in our neighborhood, actually the same floor plan as our house except the back bedroom has been made much bigger with a walk in closet and bathroom. The house has three bedrooms and three bathrooms, and also a handy storage room that we don’t have. There is nice tile throughout and solid ceilings, not the drop ceilings we have, so it might be quieter in the rain. The owner has papers from the bank saying it’s worth $111,000 but she says she would take less (probably mid 90’s). The neighborhood is quiet and safe, and has mostly professional people – teachers, doctors, business owners, lawyers, and working people.
This house is in a very desirable neighborhood with the biggest and nicest houses in town. The owner’s kids are grown so he doesn’t need anything this big. It needs a bit of TLC but I really like it. There is a very large living and dining room, 5 bedrooms, good size kitchen, and huge yard in the back. There is also a workshop area in the back. I’m not sure how many bathrooms there are. He is asking $425,ooo but with the huge lot size it’s $75/sq meter, well below the usual rate for the neighborhood.
This is what made me really love this house! There is an inner courtyard, and all the bedrooms and kitchen are around this courtyard. There are plants and a space that goes up two stories, built for air flow. The owner says it can be so cool that he gets cold at night sometimes, and when the moon is out it’s a beautiful place to relax and enjoy the moonlight.
Joel thinks this place would be a perfect bed and breakfast and he’s right. There is plenty of parking out front, and if anyone wanted to expand out back there is enough room to build more, put in a pool, and/or an outdoor living space.
This is another house in our neighborhood, but I don’t know the price. It’s a two story house with nothing behind or beside, and the other side has a vacant lot with a gorgeous stand of huge bamboo at the back. Maybe I can chat with the owner and find out a bit more one of these days.
So, these are just a few properties for sale that we have seen on our morning bike rides. There are also lots for sale for anyone wanting to build, and some houses for rent. It’s been interesting talking with the two owners we met, both very nice and friendly people.
I’m also happy because at the moment we are in Boquete (more on that later!) and I am using Joel’s new Mac. I have learned to do all the basics I need, including manage photos and write blog posts 😀
The Panama Adventure 
Once you are on a Mac, you will never use a windows computer anymore. I am a Mac user since 1998. A lot of homes are for sale in Athene Boquete area. Hardly any sales.
LikeLike
I’m still learning my way around, but this is a lot smaller than my laptop and good when I’m not at home. Maybe I’ll come to like it enough that when it’s time to replace my laptop I’ll go with a mac. I’ve heard there are a lot of homes for sale in Boquete area, but they aren’t always realistically priced?
LikeLike
That courtyard would be a huge selling point for me.
LikeLike
Me too! I walked in and saw that and immediately loved the house.
LikeLike
Macs are the best! I have had four training (one to one) classes to help me out with some of the stuff! Happy Thanksgiving!
LikeLike
Happy Thanksgiving to you too 🙂 I’ve only used this mac for a few hours so I’m learning my way around, but who knows. I might have to have one sometime.
LikeLike
Hi Kris. I am not an expert in real estate, but my wife and I owned homes in The Netherlands, Spain and Saint Lucia in the Caribbean. In Boquete a growing number of foreigners are leaving, due to age, health of other personal reasons. Locals usually cannot afford these properties and their work is not in Boquete area. The market is for new people arriving from the USA and Canada. These people want to rent. People are dropping their asking prices somewhat. Prices
in Boquete area are in our opinion still 20-30 too high. A friend of ours in The Netherlands is an investor and owns about 80 middle class apartments which he rents out. When he buys a used home with the tenant in it, he will pay a price of 11-15 times the monthy rent and multiplies it by 12. Kris, this means that the house you are renting now in David at US$ 385.- could be bought at
69k maximum. The margin of 11-15 times the rent depends on the market situation.This is not
my idea, but it seems a very practical calculation. This calculation is for unfurnished homes.
LikeLike
We have felt that it’s cheaper to rent, and certainly is in our house. I think it would sell for more than that if it was on the market. But also, the owners have had it for 8 years I think, so maybe they don’t have as much in it and are happy with the current arrangements. I know you have to be even more careful if you buy something in Boquete. Many things are listed at very inflated prices. For us, I’m happy to rent. It’s uncomplicated, and it’s easy to move if we ever wanted/needed to.
LikeLike