Refunds are Leading the Complaint List: Buying a House in Panama Becomes a Nightmare

Refunds remain the primary reason consumers file complaints against real estate companies in Panama. Between January and June 2026 alone, Acodeco received 205 complaints against this sector, totaling $9.2 million in claims.  Of that total, 114 complaints were related to requests for refunds, for an amount of $2,247,990.09, which represents more than half of all cases registered during the first half of the year. 

Other causes of complaint include breach of warranty (27 cases), hidden defects (25), breach of contract (14), abusive clauses (12), lack of information (10), in addition to two cases for cancellation of contract and one for contractual termination.  Historical figures show that this problem persists. Between January 2020 and June 2026, Acodeco accumulated 785 complaints for refunds against developers and real estate companies, for an amount exceeding $11 million. 

Recommendations Before Buying a Home

Given this situation, Acodeco recommends that those planning to purchase a home compare prices and financing conditions, carefully read the contract before signing it, and review the clauses related to returns, guarantees, penalties, and delivery dates.  The agency also advises inspecting the property before taking possession, keeping all purchase documentation, and checking the developer’s history to see if there are any complaints from other buyers.  If any conflict arises with the real estate company, consumers can go to Acodeco for guidance and to file the corresponding complaint.