Van Hohe, Chief Experience Officer at CHORD Real Estate, spent nearly three decades touring internationally with major music festivals and artists, evaluating business environments across continents. Despite this global perspective, when his business partners suggested expanding into Panama, his initial response was dismissive, viewing international real estate investment as a bridge too far. After persistent encouragement, Hohe agreed to visit Panama—a trip that fundamentally changed his outlook.
Hohe evaluates opportunities through a lens extending beyond spreadsheets, focusing on creating memorable experiences for clients by understanding what makes locations genuinely compelling. 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 but discovering something American markets fundamentally cannot replicate: a sophisticated urban environment combined with untouched natural beauty, 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, with music starting up and the smells of cafes and food creating an atmosphere Hohe describes as unparalleled. This wasn't tourist theater or manufactured charm but genuine community life that happens to welcome visitors and new residents.
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. "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, supported by Panama's use of the U.S. dollar, which eliminates the psychological barrier of constant currency calculation.
Hohe's transformation from skeptic to advocate happened quickly once he experienced Panama directly. His post-visit enthusiasm reflects a gap between perception and reality that only direct exposure can bridge. Panama provided context through its combination of sophisticated infrastructure, genuine cultural appeal, welcoming business environment, and geographic beauty—a package Hohe found nowhere else despite his extensive international experience.
For investors focused purely on financial metrics, Hohe's perspective adds a dimension often missing from real estate analysis. Properties purchased for investment may eventually serve personal use, making lifestyle quality particularly important 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. 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. More information is available at chordrealestate.com/investpanamasummit.
