Why I had to move out of my Apartment! My worst day ever in Panama: Black Women Expats
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- Опубликовано: 11 сен 2024
- I am a retired Corporate Executive and have been living in Panama for over six months. I wanted a different lifestyle and I am sharing with you some great tips and things I have learned that will help make your transition easier when you relocate or retire to Panama. I initially arrived to Panama with the thoughts of staying on a one year sabbatical but now I am a permanent resident of Panama. Panama is now my home base and I invite you to follow my journey as I travel and explore other places. This video focuses on an experience I had that forced me to move out of my apartment. and is part 2 of my Retire and Living in Panama Series.
Here is the realtor that I recommend to assist with your apartment hunting/relocation to Panama: Francisco (Frank) Horna with House Hunters Panama, His whatsapp is 507-6324-8396, tell him you were referred by me.
/ blackwomenexpatsinpanama
/ marysseasonedlife
#panama #blackwomenabroad #black women expats #blackwomentravel #expatlife #retirementlife #retirement #blackexpats #blackexpatsinpanama
Peace & greetings to you Mary. I'm a retiree too & a solo traveler mostly to Mama Africa. I got so much out of your conversation with Stephanie & Roshida that now I am able to solidify my plans. I must avoid Winter's frigid temps & snow on the East Coast. I already had plans to move to a tropical nation and Panama has been on my radar... so now is the time: its close & cost effective. You're awesome! Can't wait to connect. Diamond Yvonne
Thanks so much Diamond Yvonne, I really appreciate your kind words. Have you joined our Black Women Expats in Panama sisterhood community? It’s a great way to stay connected with the women here in Panama.
What a scary experience! I am glad you got through it. I feel you on not making phone calls when trying to get through a time sensitive catastrophe. I have been learning that through my travels. It will just get you hyped up. Again, kudos to you for standing your ground!
Yes especially when there is nothing they can do about it, thanks so much
Wow! What a nightmare! That was so unnecessary. I am so happy you had Frank and your wits about you to navigate that situation!
Thanks so much
Mary thank you for sharing. That was scary. So glad you made it out of there.
Me too!
Thank you for sharing this experience! I hope that I won't have this problem as I'm considering relocating to either Panama or Costa Rica. I'm glad that you had Frank there to help you and ended up in a better place after this horrible experience!
this is not the normal situation, I am sure it will work out where ever you land
They wanted that side extra money for them pocket. I'm glad you stood up for yourself. Bien hecho Mary! You let them know you're not playing..
Yes! Thank you!
I am so sorry you experienced this. Total crooks. I’m glad you stood on your own. So glad you’re safe.
Thanks so much Sis!
I have found that when faced with an unbelievable situation like what you faced, THE best way to handle it was with exceptional peace and equanimity like you did. I learned this quite by accident by being unexpectedly at peace during an outrageous situation like what you faced. The situation worked out beautifully. I was shocked. Now I use this as a strategy every time some bizarre situation comes up. I have consistently good results. It's amazing.
Thanks for watching
Sorry you had to experience this. Outstanding on you remaining calm. There are some shady Property Managers and owner's. We had to scare our Property Manager with a lawyer to get our deposit back since they broke the lease in our case. What our Property Manager didn't realize is we had a Panamanian connection who we bounce all occurrences off of if it seems shady. For new people this video is very informative! Keep up the awesome content!
Thanks so much, glad your situation was resolved
Mary, you are SO strong! You're a great storyteller, and I was literally holding my breath until the end of the story! So glad this worked out and sorry this happened to you. Kudos to you for keeping your cool! Excellent job!!! I have learned something from you in dealing with this situation: KEPP CALM!
Yes calmness is very important, I definitely had to work on it!
I just found your channel yesterday. I thank you for sharing your experience. Who knows what those tenants were thinking and who cares. I learned that you remained calm, had a reliable realtor - Frank will be getting lots of business and kudos to him.
Your character showed that your courage, calmness and faith were great tools to use thru that ordeal. Continue to stay strong and I look forward to more of your videos.
Thanks for watching! Much appreciated, hope you find them helpful Mary! Love your name 😘
Wow. That's insane.
It sounds like the management company did not like to or have money to spend on actual maintenance (i.e. fixing the pool, preparing apartments for move-ins, etc.). So, it sounds like they were going to use your apartment as a "show apartment" to potential tenants. They were probably telling potential tenants that the apartment that they were going to move into "was being renovated/worked on and not ready for viewing." You're right they didn't expect for you to move out. Good for you remaining calm. I'm glad you got out of there. Thank you for sharing 😎
Thanks me too!
I just discovered your channel and have been binge watching your videos. What a horrible scary experience. I have to say you handled the situation so well. You were blessed to have the local relocation guy available to help assist you. 😊
Welcome aboard! thanks so much! I am working on an entire series for 2024
You have such a calm spirit, while watching this video, I was envisioning how I would've reacted to that nonsense. I almost forgot. Maybe you don't want to call those people out, but I'd like to know what company/individual to avoid.
Thanks for watching I have a few new videos on apartment hunting coming out the week stay tuned!
Loved this video. Kudos to you for being able to stay calm! I’m excited about following you!
Welcome aboard!
This sounds like a hostage situation honestly. When I broke my lease recently (COVID reasons, in NC) they made me pay the $929 penalty all at once, empty the apartment, have them inspect the apartment to verify no damages, and then they mailed my my deposit to my new home. But all this was stated in the agreement I signed.
thanks for watching
So glad you stood your ground and a good lesson on staying calm to resolve issues.
Yes, thank you, it was definitely an experience, appreciate you watching
Mary I'm so sorry to hear you had this problem. But you kept positive!!
at least on the outside! lol
Wow that must have been very stressful for you and you remind me of myself going through all of that and no one knows. I think they were lying about wanting to sell and just wanted you to agree to have them show your apartment. They probably wanted the extra months rent to cover the cost of searching for a new renter. You’re realtor is truly a blessing. Glad you got a everything resolved.❤
Thanks so much!
I have lived in my beautiful furnished apartment month to month so no contract, all utilities paid, wifi, maid, security. I pay 15K per month from 14K. I do block my doors because security tried to push his way in, knowing \i am an elder, but I am an elder born and raise in Chiago in 1942, and I know how to defend myself by any means necessary. I will be 81 next month, and have been coming to Mexico since age 20. I started learning Spanish at age 14.
You handled the rent issue very well, for I had the same problems with leasing agents in Waukegan. Never get angry, but do get even, with God in front of you fighting your battles.
I am a widow, and my daughter is 43 teaching English around the world, and is currently in Bali. I visoted her for two months. She is happily single and no children, for she was an only child. lol
Wow you are so amazing, so glad you are living your best life. I too have one child who doesn’t live in the states either. Be careful and safe out there and thanks for watching! 😘
15k? 😮
@@Sweetsy928I hope she meant $1,500.
I had a similar situation in California, what I did was I told them that I was not going to pay anything extra and I'd call a lawyer and sue them, and they let me go without paying a nickel. It can happen anywhere, that's why you need to keep a copy of your contract, so no one BS you. I think they wanted to use your apartment as a showroom, they thought that you'd be OK with it. Beautiful Panama, I'll be there in the next couple of months.
yes I agree its important to keep your contract people will try anything
So sorry about your experience, but I thank you for sharing great info I planned on moving to Panama next year
yes it's good to know what could happen
Sadly this happens to foreigners in many countries and people don't often share these gotchas. The cash cow of Americans moving seriously effects their income and living so they try very hard in some cases to keep tenants locked in. In some cases friends set up a Corporation to represent their lease to give impression that they have to be above board.
Hopefully someone can learn from my experiences
@@Marysseasonedexpatlife
Hello Mary
I feel your pain in this story, sorry you had to experience this… did it sour your appreciation for Panama?
What did you learn from it all?
What would you do differently?
Why are you not posting names and numbers?
We all benefit from your experience!
They were trying to get an extra month's rent out of you. That one month's rent is more than any of them make in 3 months. In Panama we call it "juega vivo" which is when someone tries to get over by being slick. They know you're American so they see you as being rich.
That is the biggest misconception that all Americans are rich, very untrue!
Mary, I'm so proud of you. You played that perfectly all the way through. Like you said, what good would it have done to call someone back home; it just would've upset you both more. Glad God put an angel in your path (I don't see his info in the description box?). I think they probably keep a few of those units listed for sale, even though they're rented, and show the apts to potential buyers, and the tenants feel they have to comply because of the the scare tactics. They picked the wrong one this time 🤣🤣
Thanks Sis, I just updated the description, thanks for the reminder, appreciate you watching!
That man was not trying to sell that unit. He tried to end run around your decision to NOT have them show your unit in place of the unit they wanted to sell and he didn’t think you’d go so far as to move out so they became belligerent
yep that's probably true!
Great channel
Thank you!
Wow. What an experience. Thankfully, you got your things out safely. I’m proud you stood your ground.
I think they were trying to run a game on “the American”. Prob scared some people before you so they thought you were going to give in like others have.
Thanks Sis!
Oh my God ! what a horrible and scary situation, so glad every thing worked out.
thanks me too!
Hi Mary! WoW! sorry to hear that, I think they felt they could take advantage since your not a local resident. You were "Cool as a fan" and everything worked out. Good to see you living your dream!
Hey Kurt that is probably true, thanks so much for watching, hope you are doing well!
I would like to see/know how much things cost. Love your channel.
Coming soon Sis, keep watching!
The lady has marvelous eyes !
Thanks for watching
Panama is rife with real estate scams. I purchased the Panama Realocation Tour guide before my move. There are tips about attorneys and people you can work with in different areas of Panama who are trustworthy. Even then you still have to be careful.
I totally agree I am familiar with that guide but even some of the recommendations are scammers too!
@@Marysseasonedexpatlife Exactly! And you can't name names of the bad folks -- especially if they are attorneys or part of the government bureaucracy. You can be sued or deported.
Mary, I remember that beautiful home very well. Best wishes in Panama
Thank you so much!
What is the name of the company that helped you move
OMG Mary, that was a horrifying experience... so sorry you had to endure that. My thought is they were trying to get more money. But you're blessed & highly favored... Francisco stood by you and the good Lord made your way of safe escape.
Yes it was, thanks so much
Sorry to hear that you had a bad experience. I'm glad you got to work it out.
Thank you
This has been one of my biggest fears related to moving to Panama. I was told they Panama has very few movers and they are very expensive. Could you please provide more information.
I just did a live video talking about fears, you are always going to hear something negative, you have to choose how you are going to process the information. Are you in our facebook group black women expats in panama? What type of move are you talking about, of course an international move is expensive but no need to bring all that stuff here most people start with furnished apartments, there are several companies that folks have used to ship boxes, the cost is going to depend on how much you are shipping
Hello Mary. I'm planning to come down the end of the month or next month to get paperwork started. I plan to look around to see what they have for furnished apartments. At this time I'm not sure if we will stay in Panama City or David which are my first 2 choices since I'm not a small town girl. However, I'm not discounting Boquete since it's the only other place to my liking that has temperatures that will allow me to hand knit sweaters and wear them. Getting an apartment and being having what happened to you so far has been the only fear. I went to Panama in April of last year and decided I would like to live there after returning home. I have not joined the group at this time will will immediately.
You are getting hooked on one isolated incident, find something positive in one of my videos and focus on that!
When I went to Panama I was told a rental contract there is not like it is in the States and a the owner could break the contract any time for any reason. However, if it was during the time a child was in school, then the owner couldn't break the contract until school was out. This was my reason for concerns especially after we have a few things I want to keep shipped there. In the beginning it will just be myself, a cat and hubby so moving wouldn't be difficult.
In all honesty im sure they would have faired better of they simply asked you like "hey you apartment is nice and donyou mind if could use your apartment as a model for how we set up others" or something like that
Very true
I think that they were disrespectful by not letting you know what they were doing showing your place from the beginning and making you uncomfortable and they didn't know that you were the type of person to stand up for yourself and make a move. They categorize you as being soft they took your kindness for weakness. They should have known if you can move all the way from the US you can move around over there too.😊😆
Yes they definitely under estimated me!
My first thought while listening was that they were definitely trying to use your space as a model unit and got caught up in their lie. Who knows what the contract is between them and the property owner… It could be that if the tenant moves out early that MANAGEMENT must pay because the tenant was likely unhappy with management in some way or something crazy like that and so that’s why they were trying to force the funds out of you. So glad you remained level headed and got out! What an ordeal!
Thanks Yes I really have no idea but definitely something was going on
There is a term in Panama for what the managing group did, juega vivo! And from what you describe, I have to believe the managing group behaves that way regularly. Part of their norms. I will be searching for a rental in January, would you mind naming the building or managing company?
That may not be wise for her to do so publicly. Sounds like desperate companies may do desperate things like sue for slander or something dumb like that 🤷🏾♀️
Thanks for watching, make sure you get a referral from someone who has actually used the realtor
Exactly! I intentionally did not mention names!
I also believe they probably rented you the model apartment since it was furnished
It is very common to rent furnished apartments here in Panama
@@Marysseasonedexpatlife ohI see that's good to know. Can you please tell me if they do short-term leasing like 3 to 6 months
Evening Ms. Mary, l definitely enjoyed your video. ;BTW, what is the name of the air fryer and juicer. Thank you
Thanks for watching Donna! The airfryer is Gourmia and the juicer is Nama
Thank you Ms. Mary for the information. I am a contributing writer to La Pollera Magazine in NY. All about Panamanian culture in PTY and in the States , the publisher is Luis Vaz who also resides in NY. Would you like an issue or two, as a courtesy. Please let me know. Gracias, enjoy your Sunday
Am I missing something here?
Sounds like THEY broke your lease, not YOU! And they were liable to you, not the other way around! Crooks!! Guess they’re everywhere, even in Paradise. But I like the way you handled yourself, Mary, and let them know you’re no pushover. Kudos to you..and Frank for helping you . This was a nightmare.
Panama is not Paradise but you are right crooks are everywhere! 😄
Totally agree with you no way I would let them use mine either !
yep it was not going to happen! thanks for watching
Apartments in the US do the same thing. What I was told was that the deposit is in an escrow or something and that the penalty and deposit are 2 separate things. I hate renting.
This was my first time renting in 30 years, renting in Panama is very common. I understand the process and that was not the case here
Yeah, FRANK!
That's was so disrespectful. Thanks for sharing this negative experience so we won't be surprised if they trying to play us the same way. To my understanding, these people wanted to use you, good thing you're didn't let it happen.
Yes I agree, thanks so much for watching
More power to Mary. This shit happens every day all year.
Thanks
This video was invaluable . Thank God it worked out.
Thanks so much!
Smart woman
This place is amazing. Panama is my favorite orite place on central america so far.
It's a great place for me right now too
Sorry to hear about your experience. In the U.S. when someone signs a lease he/she has what is called a right to "quiet enjoyment." The owner has a right to collect rent and the tenant has a right to quiet enjoyment of the unit. It would be a violation of the lease to show the unit, sell or rent the unit during the contracted lease period. IF that happened, a tenant would have a right to refuse. But, if the tenant agreed they would have a right to compensation. But thank you for sharing. That clause in your lease is something that others can watch out for.
I used to rent property in the US, I am familiar with the rules, but this is Panama 🇵🇦 Thanks
Thanks for this. Helpful info
you are welcome
You handled that situation brilliantly! I think they were going to take an additional
Month for the penalty and then use your deposit to pay for a bunch of fake damages?
wow that was probably true!
I don't understand... What did they expect you to do? They told you they are looking to sell your unit. Didn't they take that into consideration?
I know right, it was crazy but it all worked out
So sorry to hear this.😮
thanks it all worked out
My worst nightmare... so glad it worked out in the end!
thanks me too
What's Frank's information?
Not hating, but those apartments are really condos. The property owner/ management company can sell at any time. Did you thing of connecting with a real estate professional in Panama to assist in your apartment search?
They are called apartments here in Panama and you clearly are not listening because my entire conversation is about a real estate professional 🤦🏾♀️
Burton, doesn't listen or comprehend very well🤦🏾♀️
Good for you for not signing anything. I’m beginning to think this is typical with some Landlords and taxes drivers especially with Americans because they believe that all Americans are rich.
Thanks yep it’s that expat mentality!
Wow sorry they held you hostage. Glad it all worked out for you thank you
Me too!
From my experience in renting property in Panama it can go badly if you are not Clare on all the hidden items around renting you will run into all kind of woe’s has an expat only because they think you have a unlimited money tree that they can pick from I went through hell trying to get my rent deposit back after my lease was up it’s a horrible experience that leave a bad taste in your mouth.
Mine was a horrible experience but it did not ruin Panama for me because bad experiences are everywhere
Please send franks info
I am no longer referring Frank, there are several realtor recommendations in our BWEIP community
That sounds like people are very greedy for money and scamming and disrespectful we could get that in the US all day long
One bad experience isn't going to ruin my choice to be here, scammers are everywhere no matter where you go, but the good outweighs the bad
Did you have your Panamanian attorney look over your new apartment lease? I'm just asking because I've yet to move and wondered if expat renters do that. Thanks.
Yes attorneys can do this for you, the lease was fine it was their actions when I tried to move that was unethical
LOL! That's pretty standard to hold your deposit for prospected damages. Unfortunately, you had to go through this. Why did you wait till the last day of your lease to move? I've moved plenty and usually made my move two or three days prior to the lease expiring.
Your comments are totally inaccurate. I suggest you watch again and listen to what was said because you clearly missed several key points, it was not about the deposit and my lease was no where close to being expired! This was definitely not my situation
We need the name of that company 😮. Glad everything worked out 🙏
it is listed in my facebook group
How much was the rent? Did you have to find a place more expensive? How is the new apartment?
My new apartment is great!
The whole thing sounds fishy. Is this a condo complex conversion? Now you know to ask in advance and have a lawyer read your contract.
Actually I did ask in advance. This had nothing to do with the contract and no you don’t need a lawyer to read it.
Hello Mary! you look so beautiful 😍
Oh thank you! thanks so much appreciate you Sis!
I’m in Panama now also had a horrible day in Panama last week but God turned it around for good.
WhatsApp is wonderful and it’s absolutely free. I had family and friends to download. I also have my U S number.
so glad it worked out for you, thanks for watching
yes you whatapp is a great resource!
You are.probably right, they just wanted to use your home as a model to secure future rentals.
Regarding the deposit, that’s a common practice in the states. I work in property management. We require our tenants to pay the early termination fee at the time they give their notice and sign a buyout agreement with them. The deposit remains in place to cover any possible damages or balance and the remainder is forwarded to them after move out.
it was not a part of my contract and not a common practice in Panama so it was not warranted in my situation
@@Marysseasonedexpatlife I certainly wasn’t trying to justify what they did nor do I feel the behavior was warranted. Forgive me if it came across that way!
Boycott Panama
Sounds like a shake down .
Almost!
Very scary!😮
Very!
Apparently, Panama isn't paradise.
No place is paradise, who said it was?
They were trying to intimidate you buy it before your contract was up! Then when they see you didn't fold they had to make up an excuse for you leaving to the buyer some how and get extra money to satisfy their pockets with a lie that you owe whatever was on that email. They more than like blew the deposit too and wanted you to replace it for them. That's my take on it. The LOSERS!!!
Yeah it was definitely a learning experience