One of the most prominent benefits of working with a consultant is, without a doubt, the experience and specialized knowledge that they bring to the finish selection process. Mar Azul Projects has highly trained professionals who understand the quality and functionality of different types of finishes, thus supporting the best selection at the time of purchase of these materials, and adding knowledge about the latest technological innovations in terms of materials and systems. . This allows us to advise accurately and provide personalized recommendations for each particular project.

Choosing the right finishes has a significant impact on the functionality and durability of a building. This is when —as an advisor— the specific needs of each space can be evaluated, considering both the design line and other influencing factors, such as natural lighting, expected traffic, and local climate, among other relevant aspects. With this information, the most appropriate materials and systems can be recommended, guaranteeing that the selected finishes meet quality standards and fit within the established budget.

Another advantage of working with an advisor is the optimization of resources. The proper choice of finishes can help maximize energy efficiency, reduce maintenance costs, and improve user comfort. Mar Azul Projects has vast experience in different types of projects for which it has provided the best choice of materials: efficient lighting, durable coatings suitable for each traffic, thermal and acoustic insulation, and even in the choice of doors and windows that favor energy saving, acoustic comfort, and aesthetics.

Another great value in working with subject matter experts is simplifying the decision-making process. The variety of options on the market can be overwhelming for those unfamiliar with the world of construction. Mar Azul Projects, as an experienced advisor, can present a selection of finishes that fit the client’s style and preferences, thus avoiding the loss of time and resources in the search for inappropriate alternatives.

In summary, the choice of finishes in a construction project is a fundamental aspect that should not be left to chance. Having an expert advisor, such as Mar Azul Projects, provides the assurance that the selected finishes will be functional, aesthetically pleasing, and in accordance with the needs and expectations of our clients. Our specialized knowledge, experience, and ability to optimize resources make investing in a consultant an intelligent decision that will be reflected in the final result of the construction.

La entrada Importance of having an expert advisor in finishes se publicó primero en Mar Azul | Project Management.

At Proyectos Mar Azul, we have a Technical Inspections department, in addition to Delivery, Post-Sale and Guarantees, with highly trained personnel who will provide us with recommendations on what we should maintain at least once a year, in our homes.

We share with you the five recommendations of two architects, Aura Quintana and Sol Caballero, who are part of our team of specialists:

• Maintenance of A/C: These must be maintained as indicated by the promoter and carried out according to the times established by the manufacturer, to guarantee the durability of the machines and avoid future leaks and/or damage to the equipment. One of the reasons why it is important to carry out this maintenance is that, otherwise, they can generate condensation and this can affect areas within the home, as well as that of other owners, especially if the home is in a building. The recommended time is to perform maintenance every 4 months.
• Silicones for windows and balcony railings: Being Panama a tropical country, we know that the rainy months can cause many effects. For this reason, it is important to check these seals, to prevent water from leaking during the rains that may cause leaks, directly affecting the home or in the case of apartments, also neighboring homes. The recommended time is to be able to perform a review and seal every 12 months.
• Floor maintenance: For floor maintenance it is important to know what type of floor it is and the best forms of maintenance and cleaning, to keep it in the best possible appearance. One of the important and most delicate points to pay attention to regarding the floor is the seal and grout, especially if it is in an open area. For the floors it is important to carry out maintenance, to avoid that the grout can rise, either by exposure to the sun, water and others. In cases of being natural stone, it is important to seal it and in this way prevent moisture from the rain passing to the stone and staining it. Similarly, it is important to check the grout in bathrooms and showers, as over time the grout can loosen and leakage occurs. The recommended time is to perform a review and touch-ups every 18 months, this may vary in quality and type of material.
• Appliances and smoke detectors: It is important to make filter changes to appliances such as refrigerators and dryers. A constant review of their filters must be carried out, to prevent the equipment from not working properly and generating a bad smell. Smoke detectors are of great importance and highly necessary for the prevention of major incidents. For this equipment, the quality of the installed batteries should be checked since once the equipment is missing batteries it will generate an annoying beep and the equipment will not be able to function properly during an emergency situation. The recommended time is every 6 months.
• Locks, door hinges and kitchen cabinets: These are elements that we often forget, but they also suffer wear and tear. The hinges often get dust, causing the doors to loosen and rub against the floor causing scratches and sounds when opening and closing. Likewise, the proper function of locks can be affected by the accumulation of dust and create a layer that can stain their finish. By conducting these reviews we avoid damage and extend its useful life. The recommended time to carry out a review is every 6 months.

Being able to carry out these revisions on time is of great value, and the benefits that can be had with a good maintenance plan are many, such as cost reduction, reduction in repair times, evaluating the best solution and, of course, avoiding major inconveniences that can generate additional costs and discomfort to the whole family, as well as the importance of maintaining their warranty. Let us also consider that being more relaxed and having the assurance that everything is in optimal condition will surely reduce the stress that these situations can generate.

But if you already have problems with any area of your home, remember that at Proyectos Mar Azul we have the residential and commercial Technical Inspections service, and we are always available to advise you.

La entrada Five things in your home that you should give annual maintenance se publicó primero en Mar Azul | Project Management.

But what happens when demand does not continue to increase and supply does? Happens what we call an oversupply. Following the previous example, housing costs tend to decrease since there is not as much population interested in acquiring real estate, which causes both the industry and the economy to immediately slow down.

This is exactly what is happening in Panama. The real estate boom in Panama is a phenomenon that has been occurring since the beginning of the last decade and that reached its peak approximately in 2016. Thanks to the massive participation of Venezuelan, Colombian and American investors, the boom that the real estate sector took can be seen in the multiple luxury buildings scattered throughout the country.

But there is no longer such a large volume of people willing to buy homes in upper-class areas, so the residential market has lost its shine in this sector. All this has caused the investors’ attention and the construction permits granted by the State to also substantially decrease. Investment in building permits is plummeting. So much so, that last year´s calculated figure represents the worst investment registered by the Panamanian Chamber of Construction (CAPAC) in the last six years.

This gloomy and decadent outlook appears as a result of the over-exploitation of upper-class areas in the real estate sector, causing an oversupply in the market. But then, what is the answer to this problem? The representatives of the economic and construction unions claim to be working on ideas to help put the balance back in their favor.

The biggest bet to revitalize this battered sector is on a public-private partnership model. This proposal, in addition to promoting the implementation of public interest projects, would increase the general execution of projects, once again accelerating the economy and construction, thanks to the capital contributed by the private sector.

With more than 600 proposals for residential construction projects in the capital, one of the trends that would offer good growth opportunities is the construction of homes in the middle and lower sectors; movement that would be supported by multiple banking entities that may approve financing for projects developed in these segments.

La entrada Residential construction in the low and middle sector se publicó primero en Mar Azul | Project Management.

In fact, companies currently develop complete projects focused on carrying out temporary activities in order to offer a particular product and / or service, designed to achieve specific objectives previously established for the benefit of the company.

This is where we can clearly see the importance of good management of real estate projects. Customers are demanding more and more specific things, so the offers have to be in line with their needs. And as the competition gets tougher, competitors must come up with better strategies if they’re looking to reach or stay on top.

What is a Project Manager?

Basically, he is in charge of carrying out the management of real estate projects that a construction company has, guaranteeing an optimal distribution and control of the budget, ensuring that each stage of the project is completed in the expected time, minimizing costs, while foreseeing and anticipating the possible inconveniences that may arise along the way.

What are the benefits of having a Project Manager?

The most mature and well-established construction companies tend to focus on improving processes, before results. And what about this? That one thing leads to another. By having specialized personnel such as a Project Manager (PM) in charge of watching over each step and stage of the project, they significantly increase the levels of productivity and success in the projects, compared to companies with little knowledge or who attach little importance to project management.

Companies that have a qualified Project Manager usually show improvements in the following areas:

→ Visibility of the project status;

→ Involvement of stakeholders;

→ Alignment of projects with the company’s strategy;

→ Alignment of the teams with the project objectives;

→ Deliveries according to the deadline;

→ Budget compliance;

→ Fulfillment of the objectives set in each project;

→ Risk reduction; and

→ Increase in productivity.

So what is the importance of good real estate project management?

Innovation is a highly valued feature among consumer demands. And the development of projects that offer specific solutions to specific needs in the face of customer needs is a growing trend that —more than interesting— is vital.

This way of organizing by projects has proven to be highly effective in the timely fulfillment of the proposed objectives, achieving good results in the positioning of companies and organizations.

This is why the administration of real estate projects is one of the administrative activities with the greatest weight and responsibility for construction companies or construction companies that recognize that the most optimal way to implement strategies is through specialized programs and projects. Hence, every day Project Managers are more essential.

La entrada Importance of good real estate project management se publicó primero en Mar Azul | Project Management.

The Residences, at Bristol Panama, 2010

This project was one of the first steps taken by the corporation. Bristol is perhaps the most demanding project that Mar Azul has had to undertake. The construction was in the heart of the banking zone of Panama, so the transit of machinery and the lack of space to store material were a great challenge. However, the twenty-six-story work was built efficiently and with a 4% budget savings despite the logistical inconvenience.

Buenaventura, Río Hato, 2011

Mar Azul’s work consisted of planning the project that had an area of ​​300 hectares. The rockfall of the mouth of the Hato River township, the relocation of the existing vegetation and the underground system of aqueducts were also an essential part of the procedure. The total execution had a construction cost that exceeded 40 million dollars.

Solea, Punta Barco, 2013

Located in the wonderful district of San Carlos, this residential complex is made up of three towers with ten floors each. Each apartment measures between 185 and 205 m². The added value of this work of art is the large amount of space allocated to the social area for entertainment. The project was executed in the initially established time and with a 4% cost savings.

La entrada Three successful Mar Azul projects: Bristol, Solea and Buenaventura se publicó primero en Mar Azul | Project Management.