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.

For this, our qualified and experienced personnel with the appropriate equipment, provide our clients with a reliable diagnosis from a non-invasive process that is much more in-depth and detailed than a simple visual inspection.

This service is broad in scope, ideal both for companies and individuals who are going to invest in the purchase of a property or in its remodeling, as well as for those who need to know exactly the diagnosis of a problem that is occurring on their property.

In this article we address the process of preparing our firm to carry out technical inspections. The first thing to know is that each technical inspection requires a prior analysis, taking into account the types of finishes and / or systems with which the property was built, as well as its age and the guarantee stage it is in.

Once all the general antecedents have been analyzed and the needs of the contracted service have been determined, the professionals who will participate in the inspection are selected, which may involve areas from finishes and structure to plumbing and electro mechanics to list a few; and to request from the promoter or owner of the property the plans for a study. If it is not possible to obtain them, we look for information in other sources to know the type of construction and to have all the possible information that can avoid surprises.

At Mar Azul we focus on all components to evaluate the integrity of your property that allow us to give a complete diagnosis. In our experience, the inspection time in apartments between 100 and 400 m2 can take from an hour and a half to five hours, varying according to the footage, the condition of the property and whether it is occupied or furnished.

Once the visit is completed, the Inspection Report is drawn up, which will be delivered to the client via digital means in a maximum of three business days so they can make decisions about their current or future asset with greater certainty and saving long-term costs. This document is the X-ray of the property and includes:

→ A report of classification of findings according to their specialty;

→ A detail of findings with their description;

→ Diagnosis; and

→ Photos and thermographic images and precise location on plans.

The latter allows the developer, individual or contractor responsible for the required repairs or replacements, to easily locate the findings, which are assigned a follow-up ticket through our Procore platform for their solution within the established time.

There are many benefits of conducting a complete technical inspection before investing in a property, so we invite you to evaluate this service and learn more about how Mar Azul can give you the peace of mind of acquiring a property, without surprises in the future.

La entrada Technical inspections 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.