Press

Brazil’s reputation, after a lulled period during the initial phases of the 2008 crisis, was fortified as a real estate destination well worth paying attention to – with a massive housing deficit, a well-capitalised banking system and several other solid economic fundamentals. Nevertheless, in an ongoing climate of global economic uncertainty, it would seem that no property market is immune... Please click here to access the article directly.

In 2011 it became increasingly apparent that the Brazilian property market is unlikely to escape the ongoing effects of the global financial climate with bearish forecasts pointing to drops potentially reaching as much as 40 percent... Please click here to access the article directly.

For a country increasingly being referred to as a “future superpower,” it is often hard to formulate this vision of success when seeing the reality of living conditions for the large majority of Brazilians... Please click here to access the article directly.

Due to the rising number of complaints of Brazilian off plan property delivery delays, a new regulatory mechanism has introduced the imposition a 2 percent penalty of the unit value to be payable by the project developer. Please click here to access the article directly.

Brazil – despite its well established internal market, huge natural resource reserves and growing global presence – still prominently demonstrates a sharply contrast between rich and poor home ownership, the latter of whom still reside in favelas (urban slum) or other forms of insalubrious accommodation. Please click here to access the article directly.

The two most recent floods that have hit Brazil have served to underline the major bureaucratic risks that continue to stain the nation as well as the sheer ineptness of the government's understanding of core housing needs. Please click here to access the article directly.

An article we contributed to exploring the hugely speculative (and unregulated) Rio de Janeiro´s favela trading market which has grown in popularity due to pacification and other urbanisation programmes as well as the massive property boom being witnessed throughout the region. Please click here to access the article directly.

A report written by José Roberto Mendoça, economist and partner of MB Associates has rejected the idea that Brazil’s real estate market is heading for a crash. Mendoça stated: "Our prices have increased as a result of liberated demand supported by a number of macro-economic factors such as higher incomes which are limiting the risk of artificial prices rises." Please click here to access the article directly.

After almost three decades of low activity, Brazil’s construction boom has recently become the talk of the global industry. Yet, running parallel with this almost unprecedented growth rate is the often irreversible damage being done to the environment as constructors seek to maximize profits without due attention to the associated consequences. Please click here to access the article directly.

An article we contributed to examining the issue of the Brazil's real estate boom and the effects that price rises witnessed in recent years are having on the low income demographic's ability to get on the housing ladder. Please click here to access the article directly.

An article written for the Nigeria-Brazil Chamber of Commerce examining the success of Brazilian government's landmark low income housing programme - which is being accused of failing to serve the people it is aimed at (those earning between 1 and 3 times the minimum wage). Please click here to access the article directly.

An article written on the 'Fez Tá Pronto / Luxury for the Poor' housing programme and its vital need in the Brazilian real estate sector where demand remains particularly high (over 90 percent of the total deficit) and supply still remains equally low. Please click here to access the article directly.

The implications on the back of a recent survey conducted by the Brazilian Confederation of Industry (CNI) demonstrating that in the last quarter of 2010, 68.4% of 375 company heads in the real estate development sector thought the country still lacked enough skilled workers. Please click here to access the article directly.

As tens of thousands of Rio de Janeiro based families in the Serrana region begin to pick up the pieces of what was a horrific start to the new year, serious questions remain as to how the floods had such a catastrophic effect and, indeed, what direct measures need to be made to prevent such events from occurring again. Please click here to access the article directly.

A feature article on a range of reforms currently under way to remove what is a major stain on many of Brazil's metropolitan regions: the favela (urban slum communities characterised by poorly built housing and infrastructure). Please click here to access the article directly.

One of the leading property development companies in Brazil - Gafisa - speaks out against ongoing speculation with regards to an imminent bursting price bubble stating that that income growth, lower unemployment, inflation control, credit supply and a demand of 1.5 million extra units per year will all keep the market buoyant. Please click here to access the article directly.

As international commentators continue to tout Brazil as a global property ‘hotspot’, a key sector of society, forming over 90 percent of the deficit, with a strong desire to get on the ladder remains out priced. Please click here to access the article directly.

An article based on the thoughts of real estate specialists interviewed by popular Brazilian newspaper Estadão – with the majority stating that rapid growth patterns witnessed in 2010 are unlikely to be repeated this year. Please click here to access the article directly.

As the economic hub of Brazil and South America’s largest city, recent statistics by the Regional Council of Realtors for the State of São Paulo (CRECI-SP) pointed to increasing signs of a peaking housing market – following what has been a sharp escalation in recent years. Please click here to access the article directly.

An article on recent research conducted by the Association of Foreign Investors in Real Estate Market (AFIRE) indicating Brazil as the country most conducive to overseas investments for 2011 out of all of the so-called ‘emerging economies’. Please click here to access the article directly.

An article on recent figures on the real estate market in São Paulo, the economic hub of Brazil and South America’s largest city, which are suggesting that the property market may have peaked. The piece also refers to our 2011 Brazil Real Estate & Land Investors report. Please click here to access the article directly.

A brief look at some of the main economic concerns related to Brazil's property and land market in 2011 - as well as what, if any, measures are being taken to minimise their effects. Please click here to access the article directly.

A short article on reports of delays as well as financial feasibility issues bringing into question whether Brazil’s ‘Minha Casa, Minha Vida’ (‘My House, My Life’) affordable housing subsidy is achieving its original objectives. Please click here to access the article directly.

An introductory article to our 2011 Brazil Real Estate & Land Investor Report including direct excerpts on the large-scale housing deficit and finance markets. Please click here to access the article directly.

An article on the significant growth of the Brazilian re-sale market is also gaining considerable pace - attributed to the increased desire of home owners to scale up their properties, release equity or simply move for a variety of reasons. Please click here to access the article directly.

A short news piece on the announcement of the partnership between Spanish bank Santander and one of the fastest growing real estate sales franchises in the Brazil – Century 21. Please click here to access the article directly.

A short article on one of Brazil’s largest property development companies – Lopes – recently announcing a profit rise of 76.8 percent when comparing quarter 3 of 2010 with that of 2009. Please click here to access the article directly.

An update on recent statistics as provided by Cushman and Wakefield's commercial real estate analysis of Brazil's major economic hubs. Please click here to access the article directly.

As the growth of Brazil's real estate market continues its rapid pace court statistics recently showed that the number of lawsuits being taken against the country's major constructors has increased by 159 percent since 2008 (from 202 to 523). Please click here to access the article directly.

An article written on the arrival of Brazil's first female president - Dilma Rousseff - and the associated implications for the real estate and land investor. Please click here to access the article directly.

The main credit analysis firm in Brazil - Serasa - made clear indications that, in addition to rising levels of consumer and business lending, housing finance also looks set to escalate well into 2011. Please click here to access the article directly.

How CEOs and investors from South America’s largest economy are taking advantage of the Real’s strength to increase their presence on the international stage. Please click here to access the article directly.

A news feature on the 'Morar Carioca' project in Rio de Janeiro - a urban regeneration programme which envisages the complete removal of the city's favelas (slum communities). Please click here to access the article directly.

A report on the increasing number of Brazilian home loan borrowers struggling to keep up with their commitments and seeking professional assistance. Please click here to access the article directly.

An article written upon request of the popular UK based online property magazine, we focused on some of the fundamentals in Brazil's BRIC counterpart. Please click here to access the article directly.

Written on the day of her election win, we outlined the main pledges made by the new President of relevance to the real estate and land investor. Please click here to access the article directly.

An interview transcript with Dani Ajbeszyc, director of finance and investor relations at Cyrela Commercial Properties (CCP) on a range of topics including the risks of an inflationary property market; the definition of real estate value in the Brazil and areas of interest in the country. Please click here to access the article directly.

As Brazil’s economy in 2010 continued to ride high against the developed world, the rising emergence of its ‘elite’ society continues to accompany growth - exemplified by a report on the São Paulo property market which saw sales valued at over R$ 1 million hitting new records of 25,000+ annual transactions. Please click here to access the article directly.

The annual Construtech series of seminars in São Paulo in October 2010 saw four of Brazil’s leading housing specialists discuss the possibility of a bubble emerging – particularly after the rapid growth that has recently been witnessed. Please click here to access the article directly.

An outline of the 'Morar Carioca' favela (urban slum) removal project announced by the Rio de Janeiro government - viewed as vital as the city increasingly becomes under the world spotlight. Please click here to access the article directly.

As the Brazilian housing finance sector continues to show improving signs along with the market, one of the country’s prominent lenders – Banco do Brasil (Bank of Brazil) – announced the ability of homeowners (with a sufficient amount of equity) to borrow against their property’s value. Please click here to access the article directly.

We were briefly interviewed by American journalist on the growth of Brazil's real estate market in recent years - the article also hears from other professionals in the industry. Please click here to access the article directly.

A report on the new Brazilian commercial property index developed by one of the country’s leading universities and research institutions – the Getúlio Vargas Foundation - a project that looks set to bring further transparency throughout the sector. Please click here to access the article directly.

Report on an October 2010 survey by the Brazilian Institute of Public Opinion and Statistics (Ibope) of 20,000 middle class Brazilians (class C) - with 19 percent indicating that they have solid expectations to purchase a house in the near future. Please click here to access the article directly.

A short news article on the expansion of Eike Batista's asset empire ino the real estate industry - with a particular focus along the south east coast where his EBX group owns a number of industrial operations. Please click here to access the article directly.

Reports of severe delays, bad workmanship and other defects in the first low cost development being undertaken in Brazil by one of Latin America's largest house builders. Please click here to access the article directly.

An article on the national debate of the emergence of a housing bubble and whether Brazil’s market is following the hyper-inflationary trajectory that stifled its growth in the 1970s and 80s. Please click here to access the article directly.

A review of 5 of the most prominent house buying / selling portals in Brazil, namely: 'Zap', 'Imovel Web', 'Web Casa', 'Balcão' and 'Lopes' (all in Brazilian portuguese, please use our 'contact' form above should any assistance be required). Please click here to access the article directly.

Sponsored by the Institute of Architects of Brazil (IAB) and the Society of Housing and Urban Development (CDHU), the winners of Housing for All (Habitação para Todos) competition were announced in October 2010 - a national contest aimed at encouraging the promotion sustainability, affordability and efficient industry practices. Please click here to access the article directly.

An article examining the downside of the rise of the Brazilian currency from the perspective of the overseas property buyer - particularly those buying from countries worst hit by the global economic downturn. Please click here to access the article directly.

Brazil has seen its petroleum reserves grow by over 40% in the last 12 years whereas most countries have witnessed shrinks. With the additional discoveries on the south-east coast, the nation has significantly advanced up the global league table in terms of production - but what does this mean for the real estate investor? Please click here to access the article directly.

A report on striking information on housing affordability coming from Brazil’s leading research agency - the IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics) - based on surveys in line with the current 10-yearly census and national household budget survey. Please click here to access the article directly.

A short article from September 2010 illustrating some interesting progress in terms of both unemployment and wage levels in the Brazil (provided by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, IBGE). Please click here to access the article directly.

A report on a team of Brazilian researchers from the University of São Carlos revealing some of their initial and positive findings on the use of sugarcane bagasse for the production of concrete - a building material that is presenting concerns in terms of supply as the industry continues its rapid growth. Please click here to access the article directly.

A transcription of an interview we undertook with Aline Lisboa: a fully qualified surveyor and valuation engineer with several years experience of examining real estate and land throughout Brazil. Please click here to access the article directly.

A short article on recent statistics from the Procon foundation (a Brazilian government sponsored consumer protection agency) that the average personal loan interest rate in the country witnessed its first drop since November 2009 – pointing to increasingly encouraging signs of improving credit conditions in the country. Please click here to access the article directly.

A short piece on Brazil's 'Solar House' project - inaugurated in Taguatinga (Federal District) in September 2010 in partnership with SENAI (the Brazilian Industrial Education Service) and CEPEL (the Electrical Energy Research Center of Brazil). Please click here to access the article directly.

An objective look at some of the main advantages and disadvantages of property investing in South America's largest country. Please click here to access the article directly.

As Brazil's property investment reputation continues to grow, several concerns over the country’s infrastructural ability to keep in line with such expansion remain. We outline some of the issues facing the country and what solutions, if any, are being undertaken to alleviate and minimise their effects. Please click here to access the article directly.

We explored statistics published by the Getúlio Vargas Foundation (FGV) indicating that Brazil's Gross Domestic Product of unreported economic activity reached 578 billion reais (US$ 334 billion) in 2009, 18.4% of Brazil's GDP, rising from 357 billion reais (US$ 206 billion) in 2003. Please click here to access the article directly.

A co-written article on the issue of buying property as a foreigner in Brazil which; despite a major positive changes in the national mortgage / finance landscape; still can be a challenging process. Please click here to access the article directly.

An article put together in the build up to the 2010 annual elections and the main manifestos of the two main candidates: Dilma Rousseff and José Serra Please click here to access the article directly.

Transcript of an interview with José Clovis Lemes, a biochemist with over 30 years of global experience in various renewable energy sectors. He discusses the history of the industry, production processes, its importance in relation to Brazil's economic growth, future prospects and international trade amongst other topics. Please click here to access the article directly.

It can be very difficult to rely on so-called 'trusted' sources in the Brazil business world - this is a short article was aimed at building investor confidence in the country's real estate market. Please click here to access the article directly.

An extended article on the Brazilian construction sector's committment to ever-important global standards of environmental protection (the employment of increased sustainable practices could save the industry between 30 and 40 percent of the consumption of energy). Please click here to access the article directly.

An article the 'Brazil Real Estate & Land Investment Guide' was featured in illustrating the advantages of South America's largest economy for the global property buyer. Please click here to access the article directly.

The processes behind the completion of real estate legal transactions in Brazil have long been recognised as being excessively bureaucratic and slow – with lawyers themselves commonly referring to the system as a maze of statutes, rules and regulations. But are things improving? Please click here to access the article directly.

A report on the new level of sophistication in the Brazil real estate market with a range of financial mechanisms akin to what has long existed in countries such as the USA, the UK and across Europe. Please click here to access the article directly.

On the back of the 2010 Index of Economic Freedom report highlighting uncontrolled corruption amongst the government officials as one of the main factors impeding Brazil´s growth, this short article examines Brazil's reputation as a ‘shark pit’ of business corruption and whether things changing for the better or worse. Please click here to access the article directly.

As a result of the rising complaints that have arrived at IBEDEC - the Brazilian Institute of Consumer Study and Defense (Instituto Brasileiro de Estudo e Defesa das Relações de Consumo) - with regards to pre-built ('na planta') property, the organisation compiled a list of potential issues that have emerged and how they can be subsequently dealt with. Please click here to access the article directly.

An analysis of the four main BRIC countries - Brazil, Russia, India and China - as coined by Jim O'Neill of Goldman Sachs in 2003 (from the broad perspective of a property and land investor). Please click here to access the article directly.

A report on the growth of the unsecured lending market in Brazil - which, despite internationally comparable high levels of interest, is showing rising usage figures for all social demographics. Please click here to access the article directly.

An analysis of some of the main advantages and disadvantages in what many prominent experts and commentators are quoting as a real estate destination of the future - particularly from the view point of the foreign investor. Please click here to access the article directly.