Real Estate in Brazil
Last updated on Jun 05, 2023
Summary: An expat looking to buy a home in Brazil should begin by researching the different areas of the country and deciding which region best suits their needs. They should then contact a local real estate agent to help them find a suitable property. Homes in Brazil typically include amenities such as air conditioning, a kitchen, and a balcony or terrace. Some homes may also include a swimming pool, a garden, and a garage. Foreigners are allowed to own property in Brazil, but there are certain restrictions. For example, foreigners are not allowed to own land within 50 kilometers of the borders. Additionally, foreigners must obtain a CPF (Cadastro de Pessoa Física) number in order to purchase property in Brazil.
How do I find a place to live in Brazil?
We asked expats how they chose their neighborhood and found a place to live. They answered:
"One of the best ways to find a place to live in Brazil is to use online rental platforms, such as Airbnb, Olx, and Quinto Andar. You can also search on classified ad websites like Classificados and Rentalia, or real estate listings by city on websites like ZAP. Additionally, you can make use of other online marketplaces such as Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace and Fazenda. If you prefer more traditional methods, you can find listings of rental properties in local newspapers or contact a real estate broker to help you find a place. Additionally, you can find a wide array of furnished and unfurnished rental apartments and houses listed in popular Brazilian cities on websites such as VivaReal and Imovelweb," remarked one member in Brazil.
"We started in 2006 researching the internet for property to the north of Natal in Rio Grande do Norte State. After finding some villa's just completed and for sale located to the north of Natal we then made contact with the real estate agent in Natal and made dates to visit. While there we heard of Praia de Pipa, Brazil and did more internet research at the hotel and made contact with the company building Pipa Beleza Resort. After driving down and visiting the resort we bought the last villa available for sale in 2007," explained one expat living in Praia de Pipa, Brazil.
"I choose Jardins because it is one of the few places where you can walk to the pharmacy, supermarket ect. The downside is that I spend 3 yes three hours a day to and from the office (7 km each way).. My office is in a commercial area and living there would be depressing," said one person in Sao Paulo.
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About the Author
Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.
Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.
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