Thread: Right of Possession (ROP) land

What are people's thoughts on ROP land? My view is that I need to wait a couple of years until the new law takes effect and this land gets titled. ROP land has lots of risks and it may not be easy for some to meet the "continuous possession" criteria to hang on to it. On the other hand, sellers and real-estate agents say "absolutely no problem".

I would be cautious with ROP property although it is a good way to go. There still is plenty left but I would truly live here for a couple of years and make sure my attorney representing me has followed through previously.

Originally Posted by MRWOOHOO

I would be cautious with ROP property although it is a good way to go. There still is plenty left but I would truly live here for a couple of years and make sure my attorney representing me has followed through previously.

Are there parts of the country where more of this land exists? (Above the canal zone?)

Originally Posted by jonr

. On the other hand, sellers and real-estate agents say "absolutely no problem".

To paraphrase Mandy Rice-Davies, 'They would say that wouldn't they'.

I always love the ads when sellers say 'Title being processed, ready in a few months' but they prefer to sell before the title for some reason...

I would say "absolutely muchas problemas.."

I do not advise this for a "new person" to Panama/

Here are some further thoughts. To get title under the new law, you need 5 years of uninterrupted possession. You will have to wait if you buy it whereas the current owner may already have 5 years. I'm not sure how you would show "uninterrupted possession" on some land that you just bought - are you going to build on it right away (before it is titled). That increases your risk. Also not clear what happens if you don't live there full time. Islands are special and buying ROP land on them should be avoided until it is clear where the designated tourism development zones will be.

The good news is that I'm hearing of some titles coming through. So I would hold off on ROP land - at most, put down a deposit with the deal to close when title comes through. But it's not clear to me that such a deal is secure or likely to work - if you are patient and things work out, you might find that the reward is just getting your deposit back. If things don't work out - then you spend too much money on lawyers and lose your deposit.

Almost all land from 22 meters to 200 meters from any water is ROP. I've skeptical about riverfront - they tend to change course too often.