From Caribbean Dreams to Panama Reality
The Luthers had narrowed their search to islands like Saint Lucia and Grenada. Then Steve contracted COVID-19 and spent four and a half months in a Nashville hospital on a ventilator, including four days when doctors pronounced him brain dead.
"After what we went through, we realized healthcare infrastructure had to be the top priority," Steve explains. "If that emergency had happened at any number of international vacation hotspots, I probably wouldn't have survived."
Their research led them to Panama, which consistently ranked at the top of international healthcare lists. What they found exceeded expectations: Johns Hopkins affiliate hospital, Mayo Clinic presence, modern facilities with English-speaking doctors, and world-class care at a fraction of US costs.
The Investment That Became a Business
The Luthers flew to Panama City expecting a developing nation capital. Instead, they found a skyline rivaling Miami, infrastructure surpassing many US cities, and a sophisticated real estate market they could understand and trust.
They purchased multiple properties: one near Panama City's convention center, another in the developing Margaritaville project at Playa Caracol. As they posted about their Panama experiences on social media, something unexpected happened.
"Our clients kept reaching out asking, 'What are you doing? Should we be doing this? How do we get involved?'" Steve recalls. "That's when we realized there was real demand for trusted guidance in international real estate."
Why Investors Are Looking Abroad
Several converging factors are driving increased American interest in international investment:
Economic Concerns: Growing uncertainty about US economic stability has investors seeking portfolio diversification beyond American borders.
Residency Optionality: High-net-worth individuals increasingly value the ability to relocate if conditions deteriorate, and real estate purchases can create residency pathways.
Retirement Economics: Many Americans discover their retirement savings stretch much further abroad while maintaining or improving quality of life.
Investment Diversification: Concentrating 100% of real estate holdings in a single country, even a strong economy, creates concentration risk that sophisticated investors want to mitigate.
The Trust Problem in International Real Estate
The biggest barrier to international investment isn't desire, it's execution. Investors worry: Who can I trust? Will I get taken advantage of? How do I navigate foreign legal systems? What happens if something goes wrong?
CHORD's solution: establish boots-on-the-ground partnerships with thoroughly vetted professionals covering every aspect of the investment process: real estate agents, attorneys, property managers, and developers with proven track records.
"We're not just pointing clients toward Panama and wishing them luck," Steve emphasizes. "We've built the infrastructure to guide them through every step, from initial property search through closing and ongoing management."
Birth of the Summit
The Invest Panama Summit emerged from CHORD's clients requesting comprehensive Panama education and access to the vetted partner network. Rather than one-off property tours, CHORD created a structured three-day experience combining expert presentations, guided property tours, developer meetings, and cultural immersion.
The May 2026 summit represents CHORD's second annual event, taking place May 28-30 at Hotel La Compañía in Panama City's historic Casco Viejo district. Attendance is free: clients cover only their travel and accommodations.
What Makes This Different
Unlike typical real estate promotions focused on specific developments, the summit provides comprehensive market education. Attendees meet attorneys who handle residency applications, property managers who provide ongoing oversight, and developers with completed projects demonstrating their capability to deliver.
The goal isn't pressure to purchase, it's informed decision-making. Some attendees buy immediately. Others return for extended research visits. Some focus on pure investment while others explore eventual personal use.
"Our clients needed what we needed when we started exploring Panama," Steve notes. "Honest information, trusted partners, and someone who understands both the US investor mindset and Panama's realities."
For Americans exploring international real estate, the summit removes typical barriers: language, logistics, and most importantly, trust.
Ready to explore Panama's investment potential?
Invest Panama Summit | May 28-30, 2026
[email protected] | 615.988.1001
