AboutUrsula Kiener Expertise I can answer questions regarding Insurance, Real Estate, Mortgages, Investing, Relocation, Retirement, Types of Visas, Laws, Places to go to, Night Clubs, Restaurants, Hotels, and Tourism in general.
Experience My company has over 30 years of experience in the insurance industry. Founded in 1976, Forlacol is a family oriented company, with me (Ursula) as the third generation in the business. I obtained my insurance license in 2004 and I am qualified to sell personal, property and casualty, and guarantee bonds in the country of Panama.
I also have worked in Real Estate in Panama.
Most of my friends and clients are foreigners so I'm pretty used to being a tour guide.
Organizations International School of Panama Alumni Society (Vice President 2002-2005)
Florida State University Real Estate Society
Florida State University Insurance Society (Vice President 2005-2006)
Publications Panama Real Estate Magazine
Building the Best
The Pananole - FSU Panama’s Online Newspaper. (Founder and writer 2002 - 2004)
Education/Credentials I went to college at Florida State University with a scholarship. I graduated with a double major in Multinational Business and Human Resource Management. I took my Real Estate course in 2004 and my Insurance Course in 2003.
Awards and Honors Florida State University 2 2 Scholarship
Hispanic Honor Society
Past/Present Clients My clients are mostly foreigners. Countries of origin include: the US, Canada, Europe, and Central/South America.
Expert: Ursula Kiener Date: 5/8/2008 Subject: Lots of questions
Question Wow Ursula you are a wealth of knowledge! I appreciate you taking the time to read and answer my e-mail. My husband and I have been talking about moving to Panama for more than two years now. My husband is from Puerto Rico and I am from Canada. We currently live in Alberta, Canada so moving to Panama puts us in closer proximity to my family in Ontario, Canada and my husbands family in Florida and Puerto Rico. I don't have the means yet to completely retire nor do I want to retire. Currently I work for a real estate developer and I am selling recreational real estate. My husband doesn't work at the moment but has his Law degree from the University of Puerto Rico. I do not have a realtors license. What are my chances of working in a similar profession in Panama? Could my husband work in Panama? I'm not too interested in living in Panama City. My ideal situation would be to have a condo in the city and a country property where most of our time is spent with an ocean view from higher elevations. We have a 4 year old daughter so schooling is important to us. We are not too interested in living in a gated community but would prefer to integrate with the Panamanian people. Can you suggest any places for us? Thank you so much Ursula. I look forward to your response!
Answer Hi Shelley.
Well my job is basically speaking so I have to be very well informed of everything that is going on. I am starting a radio show next month for turist and foreigners who are relocating.
You can work here for real estate - there is an incredible boom in and out of the city. Developers and Realtors are always looking for people who speak English. And they pay with profesional services for your comisions so pretty much you would not even need a work visa. But it is still recomendable for you to get your visa.
To get your realtors license in Panama you need to live here for 5 years, since they protect Panamanians but there are still a lot of foreigners involved in real estate who work under the umbrella of someone else.
If you need for me to get you in touch with some developers or realtors I could.
Your husband - could work yes - but he would have to pass the bar and I am not sure that foreigners can take the bar exam or if they have to become Panamanian citizens first.
The city has the highest paying jobs and you usually live here if you want to work. But this is slowly changing.
Condos in city - ocean view.
Very expensive -
Costa del Este
Punta Pacifica
Avenida Balboa
Amador - Cause way Area
High - Mid range -
Punta Paitilla
San Francisco
Obarrio - not necesarily ocean front
Bella Vista
Outside the city a lot of people buy in proyect such as Playa Blanca, Gorgona, Rio Mar, etc. The near by beaches.
I bought in Pedasi - which is 3 1/2 hours from the city but the town is perfect - clean, old structures with tiles and adobe houses in the town center, people say hi and leave doors open, sea food cost like 3.50 4 $ for a plate of shrimp or fish, great surfing/diving/fishing.
It is a little far but I love it..
Mountain property close to the city - Altos del Maria - Sora - is where a lot of people buy.
I love Chiriqui - Cerro Punta is my favorite place - but this is FAR a 5 hr drive plus up the mountain 45 minutes from the city or a plane drive - and Volcan - they have a new proyect Casa Grande which is really nice and Boquete - which has grown a lot..
I have an office in Boquete which is why I go to this area a lot.
Schools - I loved my high school - The international School of Panama - and I recommend it every time. There are people from all over the world who go to this school, classes are small so a lot of attention to the students, and the campus is gorgeous!
The best way to integrate with Panamanians is working - you get invited to all the inagurations and parties and this is where you meet people. There are however very nice expats living here. Well you have about everything - Panama is a melting pot!
