Ok, so I have seen so much about Brazil that I think I might actually die if I do not buy there...

Is this true or am i being sold?

I own real estate in Spain, Italy - recently, and UK. I also have owned 2 in Dubai but I sold out.

I am now looking for a project that can show me some good returns, but to be honest I do not know where to start? So, with the help of some hard working monkeys, and some clever lazy people, I have decided that Brazil seems alright, I prefer panama, and I also prefer quite a few other places... but price to value is best in the tropical coconut haven of Brazil.

I have been told North East Brazil is the best area due to the FDI going on there. Also 50, 000 Britons will own a home in Brazil by the time im just a bit older!!! a report i read.
I worked this out, that means that someone in the next 3 blocks from my house, in a square right around me, will own in Brazil, but is that person supposed to be me?

Well, investment is easy, but i keep getting told about intrensic value, I mean, how is that possible somewhere where there is no market value? Not a real one anyway. Can somebody pleqase help me to determine the true cost of land, developed and undeveloped. And also for apartments.

Should i buy a metropolis style investment in centre iof a big city, or a villa on the beach near it?

Lets hear your thoughts on what is the next big thing in Brazil, and this time why.. Please note, any sneaking suspicion of any estate agents here then your in trouble.

I will scrutinise anything you offer as good, so please save yourself the tears if you are offering anything weak.

The aim is to find the best investment in Brazil. good luck!!!

Go there and fill your boots mate you'll soon find out!

no, i wouldnt go to america to buy shares...

i find investment is more about numbers than pictures, my friend.

Hi. I am a developer so will only offer top level advice to you. There is a very real market value on both land and apartments. We buy land and reserach land at all times doing per M2 in BR comparisons. Sea view, beach front, back all have diferent specific values in each beach. Like in any UP market though there are many jokers trying theri luck so you need to see a good sized sample to get an idea of price. Similar is RRP on apartments, the per M2, often in USD is very relevant. The areas we work in around Fortaleza most certainly have market values and prices, each beach varies and typically projecst and land fall within the areas prices.

right... thats nice...

ok so what is a typical m2 price on the beach in brazil. Also what does this buy? licenses? can you build on it? or do you have to get the licenses?

thanks for your time? where exactly do you develop? and why?

Simon, u are right to look at Brazil. There is no denying what is happening there. I have been watching Brazil for a while, and Ive bought myself.

It's a huge country, with many different areas. And there are many many opportunities to take advantage of the boom that is happening there.

I do like the Northeast and I think it has big potential. But it is very difficult to compare the northern states to the southern states, where most of Brazil's population and wealth are located.

Also I am aware that some "foreign" developers have done the wrong thing in locations like Natal and Fortaleza, where they have bought land VERY cheap, are doing "luxury" developments, and are making enormous profits, and are offering agents up to 20% commissions. I can testify to this personally.

Also the some of the properties they are building are WAY out of a local Brazilian's budget, and can only be bought by a foreigner - which also creates problems, especially for re-sale.

This isnt to say that ALL developments in the North East are bad, but I feel more research is required before buyers fall for the glossy marketing and the scenic beach photo.

But Im trying to stay independent and hoping to educate property investors of the opportunities in the south of brazil, as well as the north. And to the issue of the INCC on ALL new builds - whether built into the price or charged separately.

Best of luck.

Simon. We develop around Fortaleza in Taiba, Praia Das Fontes, Fortim, Caponga because..land prices wheer low and beach was in transition stage, ie becoming or about to become more exposed, popular. So far, so good, all have proven accurate. Prices per m2 varies even in our stretch of Fortaleza from 50 BR to 400-500 BR per m2, so no such wide figure exists for brazil. Lest say you were going to buy beach front single lot around 1 hour from Fortaleza aiport. Around 70 BR per M2 can do it. It will be titled land with services +- to the access, no plans, no approvals. Like most lost in any subdivison you need to get approval to build etc, but it is although at times slow, straight fwd. My advice is you really need to define your exact objective, ie i want 2000 M absolute beachfront near nightlife, which state? which category of beach? or I want 360M sea view in next years beach. Then drill down and start reseraching, comparing. Myabe you do that 2 or 3 times before you get your feel.

First off - you said no agents. I work for an agency but not involved in sales and don't promote the company I work for on here so take what I say as you will

1) Northeast of Brazil you really have four options for mid-term investment:

Ceara - Capital is Fortaleza
Rio Grande do Norte - Capital is Natal
Pernambuco - Capital is Recife
Bahia - Capital is Salvador

The other 5 states don't have enough exposure to domestic or international tourism to warrant investment at this stage unless you are confident that this will eventually change and/or know something which warrants your investment.

Of the above; Ceara is still predominantly a domestic market - ie built by and sold to Brazilians. Natal is being heavily marketed to Europeans by Europeans, Pernambuco was a front runner years ago but they didn't spend money in marketing when they should have and lost out big time to Natal - they are now trying to make a come-back with more money spent on marketing the state internationally. Bahia - biggest market both internationally and domestically with largest city, airport and tourism figures but also higher prices in most cases which reflect this.

2) International and Domestic tourism in these states has risen exponentially over the past years however according to government press releases, growth is now being stifled as all of the airports are close to their maximum capacity.

There are rumours of a new airport being built in Natal and the Brazilian government have officially stated that a new airport for the region has been approved, the site has been selected and the army have started creating a runway (can see it on Google Earth - just outside Natal).

Some (Golfingworld and Ralphj, among others) say that the airport is likely never to be built because the airports are nowhere near capacity and even if they were, corruption in Brazil is such that the money will likely end up in someones pocket instead of going towards the airport. I'm personally more optimistic and believe the airport will be ready before the next world cup, which is being held in Brazil.

3) Land prices - varies depending on where you are looking and how much land you want to buy. Value varies from 0.005 € per m2 if you want to buy hectares of Biodiesel plantations inland to 280 € per m2 for a small beachfront plot on a "loteamento" with building licenses and an approved architechts drawings for a small house.

4) What to buy. Apartment in city centre or out in the woods. Up to you really, I'd just buy something where "if the worst comes to the worst" you end up with a nice property in a nice location which you and your family can use. I'm very optimistic overall for Brazil but I'm also overly cautious.

__________________
Yes, I work for a Real Estate company doing market research and analysis but I'm not involved in sales.

Have a nice day

Hi JM Broad, I would like to thank you for your time. What company fo you work for?

I have been looking at coconut grove and I find that I have had similar findings to yourself in other quotes fromyou, I have bought in Spain before through a company I know there, and they have offered me a project in Brazil. As I bought 4 years ago from them and they are still there I have a trust, the project is Coral Beach, and it is in same area but 8km North apparently. It has infrastructure allowance, outlined consent, and I have received the municipality documents and due diligence from lawyer. I am planning to complete on a reservation in 23 days, it is 39 US per m2, so my risk factor is quite low I feel.

Am I better off buying an existing apartment in the city, or are these more exciting (cheaper) areas a more exciting opportunity?

Do you own anywhere in Brazil, or sell anywhere? I am aware of a mortgage, or lack of mortgage situation over there, therefore I do not really want to tie myself up too much, and this seems like a way to protect myself from the property increase prices whilst I wait for finance options?

Thank you for your time!!!

Coconut Grove we had to give up on as after 5 months we still didn't have the documents needed to legally qualify the project for our clients. However I've since heard that new management has taken over so that might all change soon.

Coral Beach we have just started checking the legalities of. I received a ton of legal documentation last Friday which I still have to wade through then send to the lawyers for approval.

I'll send you a PM re. which company I work for as I don't promote the company on the forums- I'm here as an interested individual not to sell or market the company. However I'm not hiding anything so if anyone asks me that I'll happily tell them.

__________________
Yes, I work for a Real Estate company doing market research and analysis but I'm not involved in sales.

Have a nice day