Real Estate In Brazil

You may opt to rent first—generally a good strategy when just getting to know a housing market. While traditionally leases in Brazil are long (30 months is still the norm), it is becoming more common these days to find 12-month contracts.

And in many areas which experience seasonal influxes of foreign tourists, 90-day (por temporada) leases are common.

While you’ll pay a bit more per month for shorter leases, there is typically less bureaucracy involved. Interestingly, many owners here prefer to rent to foreigners rather than to other Brazilians.

Also, por temporada units often come furnished and professionally managed.

If you find that you like Brazil but only intend to winter here, you might simply rent, or you might buy a unit and rent it out when you return home.

Try to choose an area which receives a reasonable number of tourists, and of course you’ll need to have someone on the ground to manage things. But per-week rental prices are such in some areas that this approach could be worth looking into.

In fact, in some cities, such as Natal in the northeastern state of Rio Grande do Norte (discussed more below), buildings were constructed with the intention of the units being rented out, and there is professional management on site.

Note that in such buildings there are often restrictions on how much time the owner may spend in the unit. And if you buy in a traditional private building, verify that the bylaws don’t prohibit your renting out your unit.

For most foreigners, whether renting or buying, we suggest looking at apartment units rather than single-family homes, as they are in greater supply, are easier to care for, and frequently come with many amenities.

Look for new or recent construction to avoid refurbishing costs such as rewiring.

Typical units here may have rooms slightly smaller than North American standards, but are solidly built of brick and concrete; no two-by-fours and drywall here.

Buildings typically offer covered parking, a swimming pool, a gym, and barbecue patio (Sundays here are for soccer and barbecues). Virtually all have a 24-hour security desk as well.

It’s already a buyer’s market, but there’s no hurry to buy. vSo explore. Shop around. Look at a number of places. Make low offers.

While Brazilians can be very resistant to coming off their initial asking price, the market these days is such that someone is likely to accept.