I have to confess. There was a time when I got greedy…
The year was 2005 and I was on a roll. I was a keen and green real estate investor.
I had made my first real estate investments in my home country of Ireland. They were working out well and I’d just made the leap to international real estate with a highly successful investment in Panama.
I was on a high and feeling smart.
Through a friend of a friend I heard about a deal…
He told me there was a great opportunity to buy an apartment in the city of Newcastle, in the U.K., and bank serious rental returns.
The deal was on pre-construction apartments. I saw that the population of Newcastle was around a million. This was the same as the Irish capital Dublin, where I was living and which was booming. Surely the economic vitality would be the same I reasoned. And in my naivety that was about all the due diligence I did.
I was in.
I knew I’d made a mistake when I finally visited…
Margaret Summerfield quizzes me at The Gathering XI. My longest-standing colleague, Margaret, is my Real Estate Trend Alert group’s due-diligence voice of reason. In Panama in March, Margaret and I will be leading the RETA Academy sessions where we’ll answer all your questions about real estate.
I checked into a hotel near the apartments. It was late when I arrived so I couldn’t make out much but the neighborhood seemed pretty quiet.
The next day was a Wednesday. And pretty much as soon as I left the hotel I sensed a problem. I couldn’t find anywhere to get coffee. I could see nobody rushing to work. The streets were empty. And when I did find a café it was staffed by locals—not a foreign worker in sight—which is not a good sign of economic vibrancy in a city.
I had made a classic mistake.
I got carried away by the crowd. I made assumptions about the city’s economic vibrancy. I didn’t run the numbers properly. Even writing this today I flush with embarrassment. It seems so crazy to say it out loud.
I had believed what I wanted. And this is by far the biggest mistake I see investors make…
But, I don’t regret this Newcastle investment. Truly. It was an incredibly valuable lesson and one I’m glad I learned early in my real estate journey.
Since Newcastle, I have never lost money on a real estate deal.
These days I have a process of exhaustive research. And I have a team to help me.
Every morning I remind myself to “Be Process Oriented.” This is the top of my daily “to do” list.
Because I know if I follow the processes I have learned as a global real estate scout and investor, then the outcome will usually take care of itself.
And I want to share those processes with you…
Here I am just outside Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Last year my team and I spent over a million dollars on travel and research. Go forth. Find opportunity. That’s our mission. Because buying quality real estate in fast-growing locations, for less than what others pay, is the best way to make money. You can do it too…
That’s why last year I launched the RETA Academy.
I rolled it out at The Gathering XI in Playa del Carmen—and it was a hit.
Since then, my longest-standing colleague, Margaret Summerfield, and I have run the first ever RETA Academy masterclass. And at The Gathering XII in Panama, I’ll be taking it further—with something very special for attendees.
The Gathering is the annual meetup of my Real Estate Trend Alert club. Only RETA Lifetime members are invited every year. If you’re a Lifetime member, watch out for your invitation on Wednesday, August 27 at 1 p.m. ET. (If you’re not yet a Lifetime member, join now to ensure you’re invited.)
Join me in Panama City for The Gathering XII. Immerse yourself in a key market on the RETA beat while tapping into my deep network of real estate insiders, all at hand to provide expert insight and answer your questions.
Because there’s no better place to plug in—in person—than The Gathering. Especially if you’re early in your journey.
It’s your chance to ask questions and get real answers that help you navigate, plan, and invest with confidence. Questions like:
- How do I start building an international property portfolio step by step?
- How do I balance investment goals with lifestyle dreams—vacations, retirement, or a family base overseas?
- How do I know if pre-construction is right for me—or if I should buy resale?
- How do I turn one property purchase into the foundation of long-term wealth?
- What’s the safest way to structure ownership overseas—for protection and for my heirs?
- How can I finance a condo in Panama…Portugal…or the Caribbean?
- How do I separate a genuine Path of Progress from a mirage?
- Where are the best opportunities today for rental yields and lifestyle?
- What tax and legal pitfalls do I need to avoid when buying abroad?
- Which destinations are rising fastest—and how can I get in ahead of the curve?
At The Gathering XII, I want you to ask ALL your questions…
Attendees will be meeting at The Santa Maria Hotel & Golf Resort —the 5-star base for The Gathering XII. Just 15 minutes from Tocumen International Airport and minutes from downtown Panama City, it’s as easy to get to as it is luxurious to stay in.
And I’ve invited everyone in my million-dollar rolodex from around the world who can give you answers…
Get your seat this Wednesday, August 27 at 1 p.m. ET and start preparing your questions…
Questions for attorneys…for developers…for tax and finance experts…
Questions for scouts and market insiders…
And questions for fellow RETA Lifetime members…
- What was your first deal through RETA, and how did it work out?
- How did you finance your first overseas purchase?
- What property has been your best lifestyle upgrade as well as your best investment?
- If you could do it over, what would you do differently in your investing journey?
- What’s the smartest move you’ve made thanks to RETA intel?
The Gathering is where you get all the answers in person—straight from me, my scouts, developers, attorneys, and fellow members.
I’ll tell you something…
Every Gathering I’ve learned so much myself. Attendees come together with curiosity and a belief that the world offers opportunities if they look in the right places and talk to the right people.
And the right people will be at The Gathering XII in the luxury surrounds of the Santa Maria Hotel in Panama for three days of relaxed sessions, and in-person conversations.
Panama’s strategic location, smart business-friendly policies, and use of canal revenues to develop infrastructure on a huge scale has transformed it. Once a sleepy place it’s now a global city on an upward trend. Come to Panama for The Gathering XII and see the city’s phenomenal transformation for yourself.
From the start of RETA in 2008, my goal has been constant improvement. Year on year, month on month, deal after deal. The club began small—a handful of members, a few good deals. Today, RETA is a global network with access to some of the most extraordinary opportunities anywhere.
Seats for The Gathering XII go live Wednesday, August 27 at 1 p.m. ET. Only 250 will be available—and they’ll go fast.
Make sure you’re a RETA Lifetime member and watch for your invitation.
Wishing you good real estate investing,
P.S. If you’re early in your journey, don’t sit on the sidelines. The Gathering XII is the event to plug in, ask questions, and get the kind of guidance that can save you years—and a fortune—in costly mistakes.
Tickets for real estate conferences go for $2,000 – $5,000. And normally these large conferences don’t give you much face time with speakers.
Yet for just $550 you can attend The Gathering XII. (But remember, you must be a Lifetime member.)
