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, he initially dismissed his partners' suggestion to expand into Panama as unrealistic, viewing international real estate investment as a bridge too far. After persistent encouragement over a year, Hohe agreed to visit Panama, a trip that fundamentally changed his outlook and revealed why this market stands apart from others he has seen globally.
Hohe's role centers on creating memorable experiences for clients, requiring understanding what makes locations genuinely compelling rather than simply marketed well. Panama delivered authenticity that promotional materials couldn't capture. "I showed up nervous, because I flew in alone. I didn't know what I was walking into. And I fell in love," he says. The revelation wasn't 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. "If I were to envision it from a U.S. standpoint, I would say it was like morphing the French Quarter in New Orleans with what I imagine to be old Havana," Hohe explains. The neighborhood transforms as day shifts to evening. "The music starts up. You get all the smells start happening with all the cafes and the food that's happening. My goodness, there's nothing like it," he recalls. This cultural authenticity reflected 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. Panama felt different. "There is a love of all peoples there. Everybody seems to be welcome. No matter what country you're from, when you're in Panama, you're Panamanian. That's how it feels," Hohe notes. This inclusive culture extends beyond hospitality marketing into genuine business and social integration. Panama's economy has incorporated 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. Financial transactions feel familiar rather than foreign, 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: "I'm telling all my friends, you have to come with me. We just have to go. The food, the people, the vibe."
This evangelical enthusiasm from someone initially dismissive of international investment reflects a gap between perception and reality that only direct exposure can bridge. Hohe had toured globally for decades but never considered international real estate because he lacked context for evaluating it as a personal opportunity rather than just places to work. Panama provided that context. The combination of sophisticated infrastructure, genuine cultural appeal, welcoming business environment, and geographic beauty created a package Hohe found nowhere else despite his extensive international experience.
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. The lifestyle quality those properties enable matters, particularly for buyers considering retirement or extended stays. "What's there not to enjoy? Right. My goodness. This place," Hohe reflects, summarizing why financial metrics alone miss crucial elements of international real estate value.
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.
