ReadyDrive Long-Term Auto Rental for Expats

Brazil Expat Forum - Topic of the Week: Real Estate in Brazil
login register print

Author

adminee
View Profile
Login to Contact

From: United States 6/17/2009 12:48

abuse

Please share your experiences finding a home abroad... we'll be using your responses in upcoming articles and our Property Section.

Do you own a home abroad or rent? How did you find your home? What factors did you consider most when choosing your home and neighborhood or town (proximity to work / public transportation / schools, rental income potential, (if you own), etc.)? What do you love about your home? What do you dislike? What is the real estate market currently like in Brazil? Also, feel free to include recommendations for good real estate agents in your area.

Plus: Casting Call from House Hunters International (Full Details)

If you are in the final stages of closing on a home or have recently bought a home abroad and are interested in being cast in an upcoming episode of HGTV's House Hunters International, email internationalhunt@gmail.com with a few details about yourself (your name, info about where you are moving to/from, brief story of your journey, and a photo of the family members involved, etc.). Upon receipt of your e-mail, they will forward you further casting information.

movingsoon
View Profile
Login to Contact
6/22/2009 14:20

abuse

We have bought several places (homes) in Brazil. My biggest 'warning' is that there are two ways to buy real estate in Brazil: with proper docs and without.
Many places sell without the right papers. Maybe the house is right but there are no docs for the real estate for example. People go ahead and buy and sell and don't care because it's cheaper-but you really aren't buying what you think sometimes.
The length of time to get all the right docs drive me crazy in Brazil. In the US you can usually close in 60 days. It has taken as long as two years in Brazil. Everyone takes their time...

wereldwijd
View Profile
Login to Contact
7/14/2009 04:40

abuse

If the selling party has the documentation of the property and their own (financial) situation up to date, around 30 days to finalize a deal is possible, at least in the State of São Paulo.
Further tips:
If you pay the full amount when the transfer takes place (in Portuguese: pagamento à vista), you can negotiate a much better price.
A foreign national, who is not a legal resident in Brazil can easily buy property. You only need your passport and a CPF, which is a tax number, which can be obtained through the consulate in your country or in Brazil at the Receita Federal. However without legal residence in Brazil you cannot open a normal bank account, which means that paying taxes and utility bills may become a hassle, when you are not in Brazil at the right moment(s).
Be aware of property agencies, especially in the Notheast, which target foreigners with good offers, but never finalize after receiving the down payment.
Personally I would never buy a property in Brazil without all the necessary legal documents.

espanol3
View Profile
Login to Contact
12/30/2009 10:56

abuse

I would never buy any property in brazil.....I bought a condo in 2002 and the property manager absconded with the maintenance payments ...The idiots in the complex never had the sense to hire an accountant to monthly examine/audit thE books...My girlfriend, a lawyer, who lives in the condo told me what happened and I told her it is because you people are idiots!......Everything in brazil is corrupt and barbaric and the president is always touting what a great job he is doing but has a total scandal ridden administration still with high unemployment and crime!.....Beware of the lawyers there who are the scum of the earth ...They are corrupt and/or incompetent to the hilt! ....Look very well as we used to say here in NY ..."Buying a house (real estate) is not like buying a pair of shoes (no easy returns) "!! Boa Sorte!

All times are ET.