Real Estate Without Borders

Episode: Luxury Agricultural Land Development in Panama

Date: January 14, 2026
Host: Real Estate Without Borders
Guest: Thomas, Farmer and Agroecological Developer, Legavera Farm

Episode Overview

This episode explores the unique opportunity of luxury agricultural land development in Panama, as envisioned by Thomas, a regenerative farmer and founder of the Legavera project. The discussion delves into Thomas’s philosophy of blending city convenience with sustainable rural living, legal considerations for foreign buyers, the living experience in Panama, and the practical details of investing in and managing farmland as part of an exclusive, eco-minded community.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Thomas’s Background and Path to Panama

• Early Farming Career: Thomas started on a large, industrial family farm focused on pigs, rice, and cattle, using high-intensity, conventional techniques.
• Transition to Agroecology: Economic pressures and health interests (fitness, paleo diet) steered Thomas towards agroecology. He and his wife spent 6-7 years restoring a run-down family farm to become “a multi-species, flourishing, very fertile, biodynamic, regenerative farm.”
  • Quote:

    "A little bit of fitness, a little bit of the paleo diet, a little bit of understanding inflammation led me to discovering agroecology. And it all made sense." (00:46)

2. Vision: A Rural, Luxury Farming Community

• Concept: Thomas wants to offer others the lifestyle his family enjoys: combining city amenities with deep land and food connection, through individual farm lots within a supportive community.

• Project Location: About an hour from Panama City, 45 minutes from the international airport.

• Community Goals: Attracting like-minded neighbors to form a village emphasizing craftsmanship and natural products.

  • Quote:

    "We want a community where instead of driving home...to the city, we want to drive three minutes to a proper farm village where craftsmanship and delicate attention to natural products is the name of the day." (02:24)

• Typical Residents: Mixture of local professionals (lawyers, doctors) dreaming of a healthier lifestyle, and international buyers from Australia, Europe, and Canada.

  • Quote:

    "The locals...are mostly, you know, like lawyers or dentists or doctors...working hard and they do live the city life, but...as soon as I manage to have enough money, I want to move." (07:29)

3. Land Ownership Structure and Community Model

• Private Ownership: Each buyer will receive a separate deeded lot; not a co-op or timeshare.

• Lot Size: Average parcel is 12 acres (5 hectares).

• Gated Community: Security and administration services, similar to city apartment HOAs, but scaled for rural needs (e.g., common infrastructure, on-site admins).

• Flexible Use: Owners encouraged to pursue individual agricultural ambitions (cacao, coconut, livestock, etc.), with a culture of voluntary barter encouraged but not required.

  • Quote:

    "We are encouraging a sort of barter community, but it is not in the books nor is it mandatory. We are a group of private farms." (06:44)

4. The Panama Advantage

• Property Rights & Safety: Panama offers secure, respected property deeds; one of the easiest jurisdictions in Latin America for land titling.

• Second Residency: Investment of ~$200,000+ can confer rights similar to a green card.

• Stable, Dollarized Economy: U.S. dollar is legal tender, banking system is robust, and most international banks operate locally.

• Strategic Location: Major regional logistics and transit hub (Panama Canal, direct international flights).

• Cultural Blend: Combines Latin American warmth with first-world infrastructure, especially in Panama City.

  • Quote:

    "Panama is a very safe jurisdiction for private property. You easily get deeds and they are respected." (08:59)

5. Lifestyle and Resident Experience

• Nature/City Balance: Residents can split their time between fast-paced urban life and tranquil, resource-rich rural living.

• Quality of Life: Clean air, self-sufficient water, connection to land and food, biodiversity, and a sense of peace and health not found in the city.

  • Quote:

    "It's sort of like once you've had the best of both worlds, you discover that it's kind of like in the human DNA to have a connection to soil and land." (03:30)

• Supportive Services:

  • Farming Concierge: On-call help for property management, farming needs, veterinary services, troubleshooting—removing barriers for would-be farmers.
  • Example: If a tree falls or animal care is needed, concierge arranges everything at set rates.

    "You call concierge services and...somebody will come to your door, they'll clean away the stump, put it wherever you say, and that's it." (17:26)

• Not An Eco-Village: Individual ownership and autonomy are core; social and economic interactions among neighbors are voluntary.

6. The Buying Process in Panama

• Transactional Steps:

  1. Contact realtor (no buyer's agents necessary).
  2. Reserve lot for $5,000–10,000 (1–2 months refundable)
  3. Deposit 10–20% after decision, balance at deed transfer.
  4. Realtor assists with lawyers, bank accounts, immigration if needed.
  • Mortgages:
    • Readily available through local or major international banks (e.g. Banco General, HSBC, Citibank).
    • Standard leverage practices (20% down common).
    • Competitive advantage: Mortgages much easier for foreigners than in Mexico or Costa Rica.

      "The whole banking system is fueling real estate all the time. So yeah, it is very common to get a mortgage..." (15:07)

7. Pricing & Construction

• Land Price: 12-acre lots start at $370,000.
• Home Construction: Minimum requirement is a $100,000 "gatehouse"; upgrades and custom builds are allowed.
• No Drastic Restrictions: Build to suit, with guided models available for more turnkey solutions.

Memorable Quotes

• On Farm Living & Human Nature:

  "It's kind of like in the human DNA to have a connection to soil and land. For sure." – Thomas (03:39)

• On the Community vision:

  "We want to make farming the luxury it is. We believe that leisure and, you know, just being idle is not part of what a growth and retirement should look like. We believe in aging very fit." – Thomas (20:13)

• On the Value of Land:

  "Land is the best investment. So for sure go for acres. Let's go for acres." – Thomas (21:31)

Highlighted Timestamps

• Intro to Thomas's background (00:20–01:35)
• Vision for a farming community (02:00–03:50)
• Title, gated community & practicalities (04:08–07:03)
• Types of buyers & international appeal (07:03–08:18)
• Advantages of Panama (economy, legal, lifestyle) (08:18–12:04)
• Tourism vs. Residency focus (12:04–13:27)
• Buying process, banking, and mortgages (13:27–16:16)
• Concierge services & farm owner experience (16:16–18:44)
• Pricing and construction details (18:44–19:59)
• Closing thoughts on the meaning of farm life (20:11–21:31)

Conclusion

Thomas’s Legavera project offers a rare blend of sustainable agriculture, luxury rural living, and legal/economic security for global investors. Whether seeking a meaningful life change, legacy asset, or unique investment, the conversation showcases how Panama—and Legavera specifically—meets the modern demand for both autonomy and community in a stable, vibrant country.

For more on the Legavera project:
Website: legavera.com