Music Industry Veteran's Panama Revelation Highlights Shift in International Real Estate Investment

Van Hohe, Chief Experience Officer at CHORD Real Estate, spent nearly three decades touring internationally with major music festivals and artists, experiencing business environments across continents and evaluating cities worldwide. Despite this global perspective, when his business partners suggested expanding into Panama, his response was blunt: they had lost their minds. International real estate investment felt like a bridge too far. After his partners persisted for over a year, Hohe finally agreed to visit Panama, and that trip changed everything.

As CHORD's Chief Experience Officer, Hohe evaluates opportunities through a lens that extends beyond spreadsheets, focusing on creating memorable experiences for clients by understanding what makes locations genuinely compelling rather than simply marketed well. Panama delivered authenticity that promotional materials could not capture. Hohe arrived nervous, flying in alone without knowing what he was walking into, and fell in love. The revelation was not about finding something cheap or undiscovered. Panama offered something American markets fundamentally cannot replicate: a sophisticated urban environment combined with untouched natural beauty, all wrapped in a culture that genuinely welcomes international participation.

Hohe's favorite discovery was Casco Viejo, Panama City's meticulously restored historic district. He describes it as morphing the French Quarter in New Orleans with what he imagines to be old Havana, capturing its unique character of colonial Spanish architecture housing contemporary restaurants, artisan boutiques, and live music venues surrounding plaza spaces where community life unfolds naturally. The neighborhood transforms as day shifts to evening, with music starting up and smells from cafes and food creating an unparalleled atmosphere. This was not tourist theater or manufactured charm but genuine community life that happens to welcome visitors and new residents rather than existing solely for them.

One element that particularly impressed Hohe was Panama's approach to international visitors and investors. His global touring experience included markets where Americans faced resentment or were viewed primarily as revenue sources, but Panama felt different. He notes there is a love of all peoples there, with everyone seeming welcome regardless of country of origin, creating a feeling that when you are in Panama, you are Panamanian. This inclusive culture extends beyond hospitality marketing into genuine business and social integration, supported by Panama's economy incorporating international business and investment for generations, creating frameworks where foreign participation feels normal rather than exceptional or exploitative. The country's use of the U.S. dollar reinforces this integration, making financial transactions feel familiar rather than foreign and eliminating the psychological barrier of constant currency calculation that exists in other international markets.

Hohe's transformation from skeptic to advocate happened quickly once he experienced Panama directly. His post-visit behavior speaks volumes as he tells all his friends they have to come with him, emphasizing the food, people, and vibe. This evangelical enthusiasm from someone initially dismissive of international investment reflects a gap between perception and reality that only direct exposure can bridge. Panama provided context that his decades of global touring had not, combining sophisticated infrastructure, genuine cultural appeal, welcoming business environment, and geographic beauty into a package he found nowhere else.

For investors focused purely on cap rates and appreciation projections, Hohe's perspective adds a dimension often missing from real estate analysis. Properties purchased for investment may eventually serve personal use, making lifestyle quality crucial, particularly for buyers considering retirement or extended stays. CHORD Real Estate created its Invest Panama Summit specifically to provide the firsthand exposure that changed Hohe's perspective. The three-day event scheduled for May 28-30, 2026, brings potential investors to Panama City for property tours, expert presentations, and cultural experiences that spreadsheets cannot convey. Before committing to the trip, interested investors can attend CHORD's free webinar on March 19th at 6:00 PM CST to understand Panama as an investment destination and what the summit experience entails. More information is available at chordrealestate.com/investpanamasummit.