About the Authors
2002 through 2006 were good times for real estate investors. And during those years the Viva Tropical founders, Park Wilson & Josh Linnes, were able to amass a portfolio of over 200 real estate transactions in both commercial and residential sectors, with valuations well into 8 figures.
But in 2006, they began to notice that investment fundamentals no longer made sense. The market was awash in capital and prices had been pushed through the ceiling. This signaled the time to exit.
Also during this time, the founders were increasingly disillusioned with the North American market in general. A lawsuit-addicted society, government spending that was growing wildly out of control, and increasingly authoritative restrictions that seized the sovereignty that they had over their own fortune. At the end of the day, they hated that ever-increasing loss of freedom.
Josh had been investing in Costa Rica for 10 years, so at his suggestion they decided to broaden their scope for investments and investigate opportunities abroad. After 9 months of due diligence, they landed on Panama as an ideal place for investment.