One sector of the Brazilian property market is flying high despite the economic slowdown in the country. Luxury property in Brazil had an excellent year in 2015 – some properties sold for over R$80 million – and there’s every sign of a repetition of this in 2016.
Analysts looking back over the last year for the performance of property in Brazil are unanimous. Market conditions in 2015 were much better than many had predicted since prices rose rather than fell. And for the coming 12 months, experts are forecasting the year of the buyer.
The market for holiday lets in Brazil is relatively young and it’s also one of the fastest-growing holiday options in the country. A recent survey points to Northeast Brazil as one of the best value self-catering locations. In addition, portals advertising bed and breakfast type accommodation in Brazil have seen huge increases in listings and bookings.
With just over a year to go before Brazil welcomes the next Olympic Games, the host city Rio de Janeiro continues to dominate the Brazilian property market rankings. Not only is Rio the most expensive city in Brazil to buy a property, it also tops the rental rate lists.
As any savvy investor knows, the ideal time to purchase an asset is when prices are low. With currency exchange rates at their most favourable for foreigners in a long time, Brazilian property stands at its most attractive. So argue experts from the Brazilian property sector and – judging by record lending figures for April – so do Brazilian buyers.
Highly favourable exchange rates and excellent real estate opportunities in Brazil are drawing some of the world’s largest investment companies to the country. Major players on the international property scene are buying big stakes in development companies and property itself.
Luxury property has moved to the top of the investment agenda in 2015 for the world’s richest people with a significant percentage planning to buy property this year. The number rises even higher in Latin America where Brazilian cities feature among those with high property price increases.
The Brazilian currency, the real, recently fell to its lowest level against the US dollar for over a decade. While this was bad news for Brazilians investing in the US, it represents an excellent opportunity for foreigners thinking of adding Brazil to their portfolio. Assets in Brazil such as property are now at their cheapest for years.
With a low inventory, pent-up demand and record levels of new mortgages, property in Ceará, northeast Brazil stands out in the Brazilian property market. Market conditions are so buoyant in the state that Ceará property is known as an “oasis”.
The figures just released for employment and property in northeast Brazil highlight that both markets are booming and well ahead of those at national level. The state of Ceará was one of the centres for job creation as well as a hot spot for property.
After an unusual 12 months, the Brazilian property market is set for a good 2015 characterised by marked increases in mortgage lending and greater sales activity. Government investment in the social housing programme, strong job creation and the Rio de Janeiro Olympics on the horizon are three of the main factors that will be driving the market next year.
Sam Zell, one of the world’s most successful property investors, says that now is the perfect time to invest in Brazil. He believes the country’s rising middle class has all the right ingredients for profitable investment and on the back of this, forecasts that property prices in Brazil are unlikely to fall this year.
Latest statistics for 2014 point to a stabilisation in the Brazilian property market. Growth in both house prices and launches are expected to be moderate this year in keeping with a mature market. Experts do, however, predict pockets of higher growth in 2015, particularly in the northeast of the country in areas such as Fortaleza.
On the back of solid demand from society and increased mortgage lending, there’s plenty of room for growth in the Brazilian property sector. With the total home loans to rise by 10 per cent next year, 2015 looks set to see further consolidation in the market.
Latest statistics for Brazilian property show signs of stable price growth throughout the country. In terms of mortgage lending, September’s figures are the best for 20 years, particularly in the state of Ceará, northeast Brazil, where home loans have increased by nearly 40 per cent this year.
A new statistical tool has just appeared on the Brazilian property market to allow easy price comparison. This latest device adds further transparency to the market and helps homebuyers gauge house prices in different parts of Brazil.
