I heard about IL many years ago and considered it one of the best (but not only) sources of the unbiased information. After subscribing and reading some current and past articles, I am slowly but surely change my opinion. NO doubts, the IL has many experts on a board, however, the misleading articles just damage the reputation in addition to misleading readers who consider presented information as a base for many life and investment decisions.
It's time to recognize it! True information must be presented not only on the conferences but in EACH article.
I understand that the folks at IL want to have good living (as all we want, too) and the way to make their living is to write and excite the readers. You know, the excitement is appropriate for entertainment magazines and E! TV channel. What we need is UNBIASED information but not the rosy picture. I like the Manuals that are sold by IL. It is what we need in each article.

Than more true information will be published, then more readers IL will get.
First of all, before advertising your discoveries of Real Estate abroad deals, provide us with the legal information: is there any law that protects foreigners who buys RE? If yes, do not send us to the lawyers, write about it in you magazine in details. If there is no law, tell us honestly, so we would know what we having a deal with.
If you think we don't understand that you have a ton of affiliates or serve as an affiliate for a ton of writers, RE agents, and lawyers, think again. It's OK to promote someone and make some $$$, however, don't turn it in a main purpose of your magazine.
Be honest in your judgments, provide some negatives along with positives, and you will be rewarded with a solid customer base.

Bocas del toro --- That is the place --

The recurring theme, looking at these posts about Panama, and my own observations in general, are there is a lot of hype and omissions in daily postcards and IL magazine.

As mentioned in the 1 post, is the 8000 sq ft home measured as enclosed or under roof? Why are the numbers of beds and baths not there? For that price, is it habitable? Are all the usual utilities available?

In the June issue of IL magazine, there is a big article on Fortaleza, Brazil. On page 10, it says that one of the first things a new tourism minister did was convince Delta to fly from Atlanta to Fortaleza. I thought this was very cool, and maybe I should go to Brazil to check it out. I have elite status in Delta's frequent flier program and even had visions of using miles and getting a free ticket to go there.

Imagine my surprise when I go to the Delta website and cannot find Fortaleza as a destination. I then call the special number for elite status holders and am told they don't have it as a destination either. The customer service reps get lists that tell them the new destinations being added and the one he checked goes all the way to 12/31/08!!

There are only 2 possibilities here. There is no deal that will bring Delta flights to Fortaleza or there is a deal and no start date has been set yet, thus explaining why the Delta people had no info for me.

If the former is true, it is bad journalism as that means the facts were not confirmed.

If the latter is true, why didn't you tell us that in the article?

Get it together IL!!

If I want hype I'll watch boxing or pro wrestling. Provide us with facts, ALL the facts!!

While the Mick Jaggers of the world can easily afford the best Panama City can offer, the regular folks cannot. Panama City has become relatively expensive and has difficult infrastructure, notably the lack of wastewater treatment. On this score, I think better to stay in Mexico. However, outside of the capital, Panama offers many interesting and reasonable places to live. The best advise I can offer having explored Panama this past December looking for a future option to work, live and start a business, is to learn Spanish and look outside the numerous Gringo Gulches that are very nice but priced accordingly. Remember, Panama uses the Balboa/ USDollar so no discounts for currency fluctuations like in many other countries. Start to immerse yourself into the culture and start to think like a Panamanian, then you can truly leave the well-trodden path and find gems all over.

Angelina Jolie is how many months pregnant? So I doubt that she's been tromping around Panama 'recently'. Mel Gibson was in Azuero scouting a movie location. Supposedly he bought some land, but on the Veraguas side. Meanwhile, it's all rumor and hearsay.

The rich and famous made Manzanillo, Mexico a hot spot. Real estate prices went up then collapsed after the celebs moved on to their next hot spot.

What do you get for $550,000? If it is large and quality, then you're probably better off with that than an 8,000 square foot house selling for $85,000. No place selling for one sixth of today's construction prices can be livable. Has anyone as IL seen this 8,000 square foot house? 4 bedrooms and 1 bathroom in 8,000 square feet? What is all the square footage used for? Probably outdoor patios...8,000 square feet under roof is much different than 8,000 square feet enclosed. Stop trying to pass off places Panamanians wouldn't even live as bargain real estate.

There's still lots of places in Panama that are relatively cheap, much cheaper than $550,000, that seems quite expensive to me.