Buying Property in Brazil – making hay while sun shines

With its fast expanding economy, Brazil is now being counted in the top 10 largest growing economies in the world (currently at the 9th position but quickly gaining in ranking). The Investment Grade bestowed on Brazil in 2008 has further boosted its economic position and the real estate in Brazil is selling faster than hot cakes.

Why Brazil?

Investment in Brazil accounts for more than 40% of the total GDP of South America. Major contributors to the economic upliftment have been the manufacturing industries and the production of ethanol, in which Brazil stands at no.1 position. The recent discovery of oil and gas reserves in the country catapulted the country’s self sufficiency in energy and also opened up the doors of economic

stability. The first thing that such stability and economic boom has on is the interest rates on loans which at present in Brazil are running at an all time low. With a controlled inflation level (in fact by maintaining the rate at 5.7%, President Lula has created an all time low record); the private sector industries are thriving with the flood of investment.

On the other hand this economic boom and development has led to severe shortage of real estate in Brazil. While there is already a deficit of over 8 million housing units, the growing middle class is further crunching the demand and supply chain. The silver lining is

the rise in availability of mortgaged real estate. In fact many Brazilians for whom owning a house was a distant dream, the economic independence combined with the mortgage products has opened new vistas.

International Standing

Brazil will be hosting the 2014 Football World Cup. There is little doubt on how such events can positively impact the host country’s developmental abilities. Such mega events mean sizeable increase in revenue from tourism and hospitality and huge investment in

infrastructure and tax base.

Some of the other facts that have helped the boom of real estate in Brazil are

· Affordable cost of living (just twenty percent of what you would spend to live in UK or Europe)

· Predicted increase in the property price by at least twenty percent

· Active encouragement by the government towards foreign investment

· Currency exchange receiving a favorable response which means foreigners will find it more lucrative to invest in Brazil

· Low maintenance costs of the properties

· Improved travel infrastructure – the air network between cities in Brazil is fast expanding and also many direct flights to US and

Europe have been introduced

· Active encouragement of tourism – thanks to the dedication by the government tourism has increased by 100% with the creation of over two hundred fifty thousand jobs for Brazilians

· Warm and welcoming environment – Brazil has sunshine round the year with day time temperatures at a comfortable 27 degrees centigrade. Add to this natural beauty and fantastic scenery and Brazil is just a heavenly place to stay in. Brazilian people are known for their friendly nature and their rich culture what with all the vibrancy in the cities and the revelry at the carnivals and music

festivals held each year with great pomp and fuss.

· The most important aspect, especially in today’s world would be the low risk that Brazil faces from international terrorism and war

Which real Estate in Brazil to invest in?

João Pessoa in north east Brazil with beautiful beaches and an exciting lifestyle provides many opportunities for the investors. Thanks to JPA international Presidente Castro Pinto Airport, João Pessoa has easy accessibility from all over the world as well as well connected to the other cities of Brazil. João Pessoa has a rich history still visible in the stunning architecture, ancient temples, historical finds and fine baroque structures.

Coming to the present era, João Pessoa is filled with beautiful white sandy beaches lined with palm trees as well as tiny islands. The

highlights include Tambaa, Manaíra, surfing beaches like Oiteiro and Campina and the nudist Tambaba beach. Riding on the buggy strolls that connects to the beaches one can enjoy the mesmerizing sunsets or revel in the nightlife in the numerous bars and clubs. People with a green thumb will particularly find this part interesting – João Pessoa is world’s 2nd greenest city. The squares and parks keep the city center green and the residential areas are filled with ornamental and fruit plants and trees. One of the main sources of income here is the rapidly developing tourism industry and this natural beauty having the friendly and safe reputation is also a
hotspot for Brazilians to settle down in.

Another place worth exploring is the Queen of the plateau – Campina Grande. All round the year various cultural events are held here which is also the main attraction for most tourists visiting the country. One of the major events held here is the São João festival held over the whole month of June. Numerous little huts spring up in the city’s main park Parque do Povo during this festival where regional crafts and foods are on display and sale. The month of July is witness to the Winter Festival which features traditional

singing, theatre, dancing, music, cinema and merriment. Another small festival that takes place in March is the Micarande carnival. But Campina Grande is not only about festivals. There is also an artificial lake in Boqueirão where swimming, boating and fishing takes place while the nearby forest region gives ample opportunities of mounting biking.

The other seaside town that is popular with investors is the pretty and quaint Jacumã. A sleepy fishing village, local and international tourists flock this town to enjoy the beautiful beaches which are rated amongst the best in Brazil. Jacumã has a tranquil cove setting

and is especially child-friendly making it ideal for swimming and bathing and thus a favorite spot for holidaying families. There are also little sand dunes in the area where one can play skybunda (sliding on the dunes on boards). From the investment point of view, Jacumã is the place to lookout for as the government pumps in millions for improving the infrastructure and putting up shopping malls, supermarkets, golf courses and holiday resorts of international standards.

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Costa Rica? Si, Muy Rica.

It would probably take most people quite some time to guess which country recently finished top of the pile when Happy Planet decided to list the happiest countries in the world. Admittedly amid a recession it may not be easy for anyone to guess, because the impression we are generally led to have is that everyone in every country is walking around under a massive dark cloud. It appears, however, that one place in which people are smiling their broadest smiles and talking about the future with optimism is a country with a name that – at least presently – seems perfectly appropriate. Costa Rica – “the rich coast” – is being touted as the place to be. It is green, it is thriving and it seems that nothing can wipe the smile off its face.

To buy real estate property in Costa Rica currently is to join in with an increasing number of American citizens who are drawn by the promise of Paradise on Earth. It would be easy to point fingers and laugh at the hubris, the cliché, but unless there is something in the water in San José then it would appear that this is a country with an awful lot going for it. Certainly it appeals to more and more people as time goes on, and business investment as well as real estate are both seeing money being pumped into the country. The fact that there are tax breaks for foreign investors surely doesn’t hurt, but you don’t need to come from elsewhere to see the benefits of Costa Rica – when surveyed, Costa Ricans themselves revealed the highest life satisfaction in all the world.

Property prices for a condo are, in general, slightly lower than you would pay for one further north, with the added advantage that property taxes are low in Costa Rica as a means of attracting external investment, but it is in the housing market that you will really see your dollar go further, with houses of real beauty and luxury in splendid locations costing on average half of what you might expect to pay for similar in the United States. The cost of living in Costa Rica is reassuringly affordable, too. This may have something to do with the fact that the country long ago disbanded its military and puts every penny that would have gone into it towards social programs. As a result healthcare and public services are extremely good.

If you have the patience to live in a country that seems to be a lot more relaxed than most, yet doesn’t fall down on getting things done efficiently and effectively, and can speak Spanish (English is spoken here and spoken well, but it would be a shame to come to somewhere so welcoming and not assimilate at least a little), then Costa Rica is a place worth investing in. The work/life balance is pitched just about perfectly for anyone who likes to enjoy themselves but knows that this is only possible through earning the money to do it

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Panama Real Estate Investment

The first thing anyone will say if you ask them to mention something about Panama will undoubtedly be the canal. Some will even work in the famous palindromic pronouncement by Leigh Mercer: “A man, a plan, a canal. Panama!”. And when a nation of such limited size is dominated by a large – and very famous – canal, then it is no surprise that that will be the case. The Panama canal plays a major part for the country’s importing and exporting, for its transport and tourism. Although there is clearly much more to Panama than the canal, it would equally be pig-headed to deny its importance.

One element of Panama’s wider importance, however, is its real estate market. Investors from all around are looking at picking up property in Panama – and with good reasons, too. It is an investment opportunity that is worth investigation at the very least. Panama, being as it is the southernmost country in North/Central America, is therefore something of a frontier before one crosses from one part of America into another, quite radically different part. This makes it a crucially important spot in the Americas, frequently passed through by people traveling from the North to the South or vice versa. It has thus become the fastest-growing economy in Central America and the largest per capita consumer.

A country of such economic importance in the region will therefore need to be attractive to visitors. With the location a dual benefit – both in terms of people planning to travel through and, thanks to the scenery and the climate, also ready to stop here for a holiday – Panama will bring people in, almost without effort. It is keeping them around for long enough that needs to be addressed – something which is happening currently and is manifesting itself in, among other things, an improved real estate sector. This is where much of the external investment in Panama is coming from.

Oceanside apartments in Panama are cheap. This is one major reason why investors are interested, and it does not come at the expense of quality. There are many new builds as the Panamanian government aims to take greater advantage of the tiny nation’s geographic good fortune. Developments like those in Bocas del Toro are liable to catch the attention of any potential real estate investor, whatever the price. When one discovers that luxury apartments can be had for less than a quarter of a million dollars – and that prices will rise as demand does the same – it makes total sense that investment is a consideration for many.

For anyone looking to purchase real estate in Panama, there is good news in the fact that laws allow outside real estate investment to run very smoothly, with almost no restrictions on the process. If you are looking for an investment in an area with geographical importance, which attracts tourism and business, and will not cost you the Earth, then Panama is a very worthwhile place to look. There is every chance to turn a profit or just find a retirement or holiday property here. It’s really up to you.

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