#1. It’s football (futebol) or soccer. Brazil has won the most world cup soccer tournaments then any other country on earth. When it comes to soccer, Brazil makes everything seem easy. Every other country in the world has to scratch and claw their way just to make it into the world cup, but ever four years, the Brazilian team makes it to this world class tournament without even breaking a sweat. Soccer stars such as Pele, Ronaldo, and Ronaldinho, as well as the countries entire soccer culture have made Brazil synonymous with the sport.

#2. It’s women. Brazilian models are some of the most sought after models in the world. Very few countries have more top models then Brazil. I’m sure you’ve heard of Giselle Bundchen, Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Isabeli Fontana, Raica Oliveira, Jeisa Chiminazzo, Ana Claudia Michels, Ana Beatriz Barros, Fernanda Tavares, Fernanda Motta, Ana Paula Araujo, and Aline Nakashima, just to name few, but it’s not just the super models that make Brazilian women famous the world over. The beautiful women that take part in Carnival, as well as the beach bunnies that line the beaches of Brazil with their amazingly skimpy bikinis have drawn the attention of men from all corners of the globe.

#3. It’s Carnival. Brazilian Carnival is famous all around the world as the worlds largest and most festive parties anywhere in the world. In Brazil carnival is the most popular Brazilian festivity, far beyond Christmas, Easter or New Year celebrations. Only the Rio de Janeiro New Year’s Eve rivals with Carnival. It is said that you must attend the Brazilian carnival at least once in your life.

#4. The Amazon. Brazil contains approximately 60% of the Amazon rainforest. The Amazon represents over half of the planet’s remaining rainforests, and it comprises the largest and most species-rich tract of tropical rainforest in the world. The Amazon rainforest was short-listed in 2008 as a candidate to one of the New7Wonders of Nature by the New Seven Wonders of the World Foundation.

#5. Samba and Capoeira. Brazil is a country of mixed ethnicities however, it seems the African influenced parts of the culture such as Capoeira and the Samba have reached more notoriety on an international basis. Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian art form that combines elements of martial arts, music, and dance. It was created in Brazil by slaves brought from Africa. It, as well as the Samba music and dance have made their way into various movies, documentaries, music videos, and other main stream media.

Dan DeLa Cruz is a traveler, author and international dating coach. Dan is most well known as the author of the breakthrough book about foreign women and brazilian women called The Global Dating Revolution.

Brazil, now firmly on the tourist map has had numerous tips to becoming the place to holiday and live in the years to come. As part of the infamous BRIC economies, Brazil is seen as a powerhouse for the future. The Amazon basin and all that goes with it are rarely out of the news, but when you are deemed the lungs of the earth it is hardly surprising.

On Sunday 31st of May 2009, Brazil celebrated winning the host country for the FIFA World Cup 2014 and all the publicity and tourism that it will bring. This World cup effect will keep Brazil in many peoples minds for many years to come. Natal and Recife in North East Brazil have been named as two of the host cities for the FIFA World Cup and so bringing a massive boost to those areas and beyond.

On top of this great sporting event Brazil did it again by its winning bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games. The IOC deemed it suitable and it will be the first time it has been hosted in South America. This football-mad society has a lot of infrastructure and planning to achieve over the next 6-7 years.

Brazil will now have to deliver on its proposals and meet the expectations of two very strict governing bodies. As such construction will play a massive part in getting ready for these two events. Apart from the stadiums and sporting arenas, accommodation for athletes and tourists will need to be built to cope with demand.

The property market in Brazil started attracting more foreigners in recent years and so there have been a succession of new development being built along the North East coast of Brazil to cope with demand. Many local Brazilians like to holiday on the beach, so developers have tapped into this market as well.

Many host cities of big sporting events in the past have seen real estate price increases due to demand and investors taking advantage of getting in early. Even though at present we still have global economic uncertainty it is forecast that Brazil’s property prices will rise significantly over the next 10 years, which is hard to ignore if you are a medium term investor.

Land in Brazil is also a business that has been growing over the past few years. Brazil is not in short supply of good land that is not rainforest and so developers have been buying it up and selling it onto investors, so that they can build villas in the future and add value to their investment.

One such company has been marketing its new Coral Lake and Beach Resort for under a year and is offering plots of land for sale in the Flexeiras area 1 hour from Fortaleza in Ceara.

The development aims to be a sustainable development staying clear of the urban jungle developments further down the coast. It principals will encompass:

• Beautiful landscaped gardens that will compliment the natural surroundings and blend in
• Low density, low-rise villas and buildings
• Rainwater/grey water harvesting and wind power utilisation will add to the sustainability of this development

The official Coral Lake and Beach Resort site. Also please find a video of the Coral Lake and Beach Resort on QIK here.

When most people think of visiting Brazil, they immediately think of Rio de Janeiro. While Rio is an exciting place to visit, there is another part of the country that has plenty to offer in the way of a relaxing vacation: Bahia. Bahia is the fifth largest state in Brazil and the fourth most populous. Bahia lies in the northeastern part of the country along the Atlantic coast and celebrates the longest coastline. With the average annual temperatures hovering around 75 degrees, this makes Bahia one of the more desired vacation spots in Brazil with plenty of coastal regions to explore. The Costa do Sauipe contains one of the largest resort hotel developments in Brazil.

The Coconut Coast has exactly what you think it does: coconut groves. It also boasts plenty of dunes, rivers, swamps and sweet water lagoons. The Atlantic Rain Forest is also located along this part of the coastline. The Atlantic Rain Forest is home to several endangered species, including marmosets and lion tamarins.

All Saints Bay is the largest bay on the Brazilian coast. The bay has fifty-six islands with tropical beaches and vegetation. If you are into water sports, this bay is perfect for you. The regular breezes, average temperature of 77 degrees and sheltered waters all lend themselves to the prime location for playing in the water. Schooners, motor boats, and jet skis are a constant presence all year round. While on your vacations for singles, All Saints Bay would be the perfect place to dip your toes in the crystalline water.

The Cacao Coast lies along the southern coast of Bahia. This coast has miles and miles of beaches shaded by dense coconut groves. As the name implies, large areas of this coast are covered by cacao plantations. There are plenty of walking paths and horseback riding opportunities in the forests and along beaches. Of the 68 miles of beaches, many are popular, however some are even deserted. These beaches have the beautifully blue water that we all imagine when we think of a white sandy beach.

If you want to partake in surfing or deep sea diving, the Discovery Coast is the place for you. This coast is the region of Bahia that has been well preserved. All of the excursions for your enjoyment have been laid out so as to protect this delicate ecosystem. This coast has 93 miles of beaches. There are also many cliffs to explore as well. Your adult all inclusive vacation might have you spending the majority of your time in this area.

If you are looking for more information on the Costa do Sauipe, SuperClubs can help. Visit SuperClubs today for all the details you need for your adult all inclusive vacation to Brazil today. Bahia is the perfect place for someone who wants to get away to a secluded place and meet other singles. SuperClubs can provide you with other places where you can find vacations for singles as well.

Brazil is a very large and diverse country which makes planning where to go more difficult, here we’ll look at some of the best places to visit in Brazil.

Probably the most famous city in Brazil is Rio de Janeiro, meaning the River of January in English. Rio was the capital of Brazil from 1763 – 1960 and is now the most visited city in Brazil. When visiting Rio there are some must see places to go, firstly the beaches, with Copacabana and Ipanema being the most famous. Another must see place is Christ the Redeemer “Christo Redentor” which is a statue of Jesus on top of a mountain which can be seen from practically the whole city, finally the other must see place in Rio is Sugar Loaf mountain “Pao de Acucar”. Sugar Loaf is a peak in a mountain where it’s possible to look over the whole city, with cable cars taking you to the summit. Rio has the most famous carnival in Brazil and great history when it comes to music having been the place where Samba and Bossa Nova was invented.

The largest city in the Brazil is Sao Paulo, with over 10 million in habitants. Sao Paulo is known as the most cosmopolitan city in Brazil; it has a large number of ethnic minority communities which has lead to it being seen as having the best range and quality of restaurants in Brazil. As well as being known for its food, it’s also well known for its museums such as the Museu Paulista do Ipiranga, the gothic Metropolitan Se Cathedral and the Sao Paulo Museum of Art. Sao Paulo also has the most successful Brazilian football team in Sao Paulo FC, holding the most national and international titles of any Brazilian club.

Finally another amazing city to visit in Brazil is Salvador, which is one of the most beautiful cities in the world; it’s located in the North East of Brazil and is the capital of the state of Bahia. It is known as being the most easygoing city in the Brazil and is famous for street parties and the carnival. Over 80% of the population in Salvador has Black African ancestry which has an effect of the food and music in Salvador. Salvador is the city to visit if you are looking for beautiful beaches and none stop partying.

Whichever city it is that you visit in Brazil you need to make sure you have a pair of Brazil Havaianas, a bikini and that you are looking to have a party.

Savvy Overseas property investors have come to realise that Brazil is a great place to dip your toe in international real estate investing. In just the last three years investors in Cumbuco Fortaleza Brazil are running round with huge smiles on their faces after investing in beachfront property. The reason for the smiles is that price rises in Brazilian beachfront property in that area have given them 100 per cent capital appreciation. For them investing in off plan pre construction real esate by a beach popular with wind surfers was the right move. I have now discovered another area in Brazil with the same credentials as Cumbuco. This area is Canoa Quebrada in Ceara North Eastern Brazil.

Canoa Quebrada is 165 kilometres southeast of Fortaleza, a city of some 2 million plus. Pinto Martins International Airport, just outside Fortaleza, has direct and connecting flights to Europe and other major cities within Brazil. From there, it’s about a two hour drive along the coast to this Brazilian tropical paradise.

Canoa Quebrada beaches are second to none several miles of long, fine-grained sandy beaches with many freshwater lagoons. Like Cumbuco the area is popular with South Americans and is growing in popularity with international tourists. The area around Canoa has much so offer those who like sports and excitement. There is wind surfing, paragliding, sand boarding, diving and cycling, to name but a few. There’s a wide choice of restaurants, nightclubs, discos and bars. Getting there is easy than you may think for such a relaxed peaceful paradise. Arriving from Fortaleza there are buses to Canoa Quebrada, however its best to hail a taxi. A beach buggy with driver for 4 people, day-return trip to Canoa will come to about 200real and will take about 2 hours maximum.

Brazilian Real Estate has recently experienced a big boost in its popularity abroad, helped by its robust economic performance and a more active role in the international arena. Its image is frequently associated with a casual and healthy lifestyle, friendly people, and a beautiful combination of rainforest, mountains, and sea. As a consequence, tourism inflows have increased dramatically over the past few years and international property investors are quickly realizing the huge gains that can be made in this fast growing emerging market.

A great indication that you have select the right international real estate market to spend your hard earned money is by following the big multi national. Morgan Stanley’s global network of economists, strategists, research and product specialists have specific knowledge to deliver the most informed strategic and investment advice possible. Property investors can now take stock of the fact that such a well informed investor can choose Brazil as a place to invest. Morgan Stanley believes there is pent up demand for residential properties and new builds in Brazil, particularly in Sao Paulo.

Its seems time to get on the internet and find Canoa Quebrada Real Estate and check my predictions that this is a mighty hot place to invest in Brazilian Real Estate.

Nicholas Marr helps investors with investment decisions and promotes Brazil real estate to an international audience. He is a lifetime property investor and CEO of Marr International who are behind the overseas property portal at http://www.homesgofast.com/home/Brazil/

Brazil does not have a death penalty. Brazil has a liberal juvenile justice system that seems far too lenient on youthful offenders. These factors have contributed to the high level of crime in Brazil.

There is a considerable amount of freedom in Brazil. Freedom, as opposed to totalitarian police states, has its price in increased criminal opportunities for the criminal element of society. Illegal drug activity has increased in recent years in Brazil. There are gang wars, and turf battles over the drug territories, and some innocent bystanders are killed in some of the battles. Fortunately the majority of these drug related crimes are contained in the poorer sections of the largest cities in Brazil. If you are not dealing drugs, and not spending time in the high crime inner cities in Brazil, then you are in much less danger of becoming the victim of a crime that you would be in any place in the USA.

Actual Crime Rates in Brazil compared to the USA and Japan

An analysis was done using INTERPOL data for Brazil. For purpose of comparison, data were drawn for the seven offenses used to compute the United States FBI’s index of crime. Index offenses include murder, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft. The combined total of these offenses constitutes the Index used for trend calculation purposes. Brazil will be compared with Japan (country with a low crime rate) and USA (country with a high crime rate). The following figures are per 100,000 population.

Offense: Rape, the rate in 2001 was 8.50 for Brazil, compared with 1.78 for Japan and 31.77 for USA.

Offense: Aggravated assault, the rate in 2001 was 0.61 for Brazil, 23.78 for Japan, and 318.55 for USA.

Offense: Larceny for 2001 was 309.91 for Brazil, 1401.26 for Japan, and 2484.64 for USA.

Offense: Motor vehicle theft in 2001 was 88.51 for Brazil, compared with 44.28 for Japan and 430.64 for USA.

The rate for all index offenses combined was 927.41 for Brazil, compared with 1709.88 for Japan and 4160.51 for USA.

Source: http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/faculty/rwinslow/samerica/brazil.html

A Comparative Criminology Tour of the World

Dr. Robert Winslow

rwinslow@mail.sdsu.edu

San Diego State University

Japan is considered one of the safest countries on earth, with a very low crime rate, however Japan has almost twice as much crime overall as Brazil. The USA has over 400% more overall crime than Brazil. However, these statistics are skewed and misleading. Brazil’s crime is much localized, almost exclusively limited to the large inner cities. The crime rate in the rest of Brazil is comparable to the crime rate in Vatican City. In the rural areas of Brazil, hitchhiking is still common with very few criminal incidents. Even crimes against property are almost unheard of outside the large cities in Brazil. Outside of the inner cities, Brazil is pretty much the safest place on earth, with an outlandishly low crime rate. By comparison the USA is far more dangerous than Brazil.

There is one other exception to this low crime rate in Brazil. The popular tourist attractions and beaches do have some criminals taking advantage of tourists. These crimes tend to be pick-pocketing, purse snatching, camera snatching, and similar crimes. Even Vatican City has such pick-pockets working the tourists there too. This is an unfortunate fact of life worldwide in every tourist hotspot on earth. Savoy tourists can usually avoid being victimized by these petty criminals.

Do not flash expensive items such as camcorders, cameras, and notebook computers. The red light districts (AMOR à ZONA) should be avoided. The slums (favelas) are high crime areas. ATM machines tend to attract robbers. Thieves work the beaches looking for purses and wallets lying near sunbathers. They grab the purse or wallet and run. Solution: Do not leave your purse or wallet in view. Dress down. Try to look native. Do not stand out.

A word of warning about the Brazilian petty criminals and their methods.

Petty thieves commonly work the public transportation system looking for tourists. They ride the public transportation system (mostly busses) looking to identify a target, usually with a purse or expensive camera in easy view. They will wait until the bus is stopping and opening the doors, then they grab the item and jump off the bus. Lately they have been grabbing whole backpacks, when the tourist is so foolish as to take off his/her backpack on the bus. Solution: Be especially careful on the busses in Brazil. Do not take off your backpack. Do not make it easy for the thieves to grab your valuables and run. Fortunately it is incredibly rare for these petty criminals to become violent. They almost always run away no matter if they are successful or not in the purse snatching attempt. They run not because they are afraid of the tourist, but because they are afraid of a mob or the police catching them. However, you should NOT chase a purse snatcher. They are often armed. The inner city criminals in Brazil are especially afraid of the cops. The police in Brazil are almost as trigger happy as cops in the USA. Fortunately they seem to know the difference between tourists and the street criminals.

In summary, you are far more likely to have your wallet or purse stolen in any city in the USA than in even the tourist areas of Brazil. If you stay away from the inner cities and especially the favelas and if you do not deal drugs or buy illegal drugs you will be far safer in Brazil than in the USA, Canada, or even Japan. There is no need to be afraid of crime in Brazil. Come on, live a little. The sky is not falling down, and Brazil is not so dangerous if you just use common sense.

The author, Arthur Wyss is a resident of Beijing, China. He specializes in immigration assistance for those who wish to live in Brazil. He also operates Brazil Land Sales, which primarily sells land in the State of Tocantins, Brazil. He is the former President of Adventure Spa Cruise. His website is: http://www.brazil-land-sales.com/index.htm

Come to think of Brazil, and you’ll immediately get transported to the football capital of the world! The land of Ronaldos, Ronaldinhos, Peles, and Romarios is the next projected global economic powerhouse. Occupying almost half of the South American continent, Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world. Considering its vast size, the Brazilian population of around 190 million is miniscule, to say the least. This is because sea-loving Brazilians are mostly concentrated around the coasts. It is estimated that around two-third of the nation’s population is situated along the coastline. This leaves a vast chunk of the country’s mainland open for development projects, and a virtual goldmine for the global property investors.

What Makes Brazil a Hot Investment Destination?

Brazil has many attractions that allure the people from all over the world to this Samba land. The country is a major tourist hub of South America. It’s not just the soccer-crazy Brazilians that invite attention, but also the entire Brazilian lifestyle that has lent a unique identity to the country.

To start with, the country plays host to the world’s biggest rainforest – The Amazon. This is reason enough for the nature loving tourists to flock and hook up to Brazil for days, and witness the wildlife-rich wetlands of the Pantanal, the canyons and caves of the Chapada Diamentina, and the Mata Atlantica (Atlantic forest), which runs for much of the length of Brazil’s coastline.

Brazilian seashore adds to the charm of the country with sun-kissed beaches dotting over 7000 kilometres of coastline. The legendary Copacabana and Ipanema beaches are just some of the magnificent water-features of Brazil. The aquatic sports are also one of the major highlights of the Brazilian beaches.

If you think you’ve heard enough of Brazil, we are not done yet! The Annual Carnival at Rio de Janeiro is synonymous with the Brazilian way of living – dancing to the tunes of samba and merrying about all night! This not-to-be-missed annual event is attended by millions of revellers from around the world and attracts global media coverage.

Another major reason, besides tourism, behind the growth of the property market in Brazil is the country’s booming industry. Brazil is one of the few countries that have mastered the art of ethanol-blended petroleum products. This technology is of massive help in curbing rising pollution levels due to the burning of fossil fuels the world over.

The country is largely seen as one of the fastest developing economies of the world along with China and India, and if the trend continues, Brazil will be a jackpot destination for every real estate investor. A largely peaceful country, Brazil attracts Europeans for its low cost of living, which is just 20% of that in the UK/Europe.

The proactive government developmental policies, along with the favourable currency exchange rates fuel the robust property sector all across the country. Brazil is well-connected with major cities of the world through regular flights in and out of the country. The lively Brazilian people have a rich tradition of living life to the hilt, is one factor that clinches the deal for Brazil as a hot real estate destination.

Hottest Investment Locations in Brazil

Currently, Brazil enjoys one of the fastest growing property markets in the world. Therefore, you can be rest assured that money spent on property in Brazil is a wise investment translating into greater appreciation for the capital in a short period of time. And before you jump on the Brazilian bandwagon, here’s another happy piece of information you’ll love to hear. Millions of foreign nationals own property and business in Brazil benefiting from the fact that property ownership is guaranteed by the Constitution for Brazilians and foreigners alike. And land ownership in Brazil is in perpetuity, which includes full mineral and water rights.

Any kind of coastal property in Brazil is worth a goldmine. Since most of the population and tourists’ activities are centred on the coastal areas of Brazil, cities like Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo are always on top of the investment chart. For a little over £50K, you can enjoy beachfront apartments, duplexes and villas in Natal, or residential club villas in Fortaleza. Of course, several low-priced properties are also available in every segment – off-plan, built-up, or land.

If you are looking to capitalize on the vast agricultural land in Brazil, the places like Western Bahia State should be your choice of destination. Brazil is expected to be self-sufficient in terms of food available to its citizens, within a few years. Thanks to the mineral-rich fertile soil of the country, the cities, like Louis Eduardo Manghales, have emerged as agri-hubs in Brazil. Obviously, the developed agricultural land will cost you a little more than the uncleared land in areas, like SE Tocantins, which is believed to contain a hugely fertile land, but development here is still some years away.

Some other places ideally suited for investment in residential and commercial property include the towns of Rio do Conseicao, Dianopolis, and Rio Grande de Norte.

Brazil has investor-friendly laws, byelaws, and regulations. However, you may require the services of an attorney or a estate agent for successfully negotiating and transferring the property. There may be certain formalities to be satisfied before you can legally own a property in the country, but these are not very technical formalities that require much effort on your part. Read our buyers guide on Brazil for more details.

Property Abroad’s directory Les Calvert writes interesting and useful articles on all subjects dealing with overseas property and buying property abroad. With over 400 company websites selling and renting property in almost every country around the world Les is well placed to offer advice on existing and emerging property locations around the world. Visit their flagship site for buying property in Brazil. Visit their website dedicated to investment property if you are considering buying an investment property abroad or in any country around the world.

Following the addition of Brazil onto the international real estate investment scene, no end of interest in the region has been generated. Brazil tends to check all the boxes as a suitable property investment and holiday home destination. It even appears that the travelling distances are overlooked by many buyers, as the tropical paradise location is worth the effort to reach.

For investors the low priced property, consistently strong capital gains and high rental demand are all rolled into an idyllic setting. Brazil has tempted many prospective buyers over recent years and long term growth and interest in the market shows no sign of slowing. The additional benefits of the 2016 Olympic Games and the 2014 FIFA World Cup only add to the growth and demand for investing in the country’s real estate market.

The Brazilian government is encouraging foreign investors, especially into the stunning North Eastern coastal regions such as Natal. As Brazil has a strong economy with the potential to become a world superpower, the country is not reliant upon foreign real estate investors for economic stability. The active encouraging of foreign investment brings an additional touch to the friendly nation.

The use of a solicitor specialising in the Brazilian real estate market is highly recommended. While not a legal requirement, the additional security and easing of the purchasing process is invaluable. The lawyer will work with the buyer throughout the purchase, tracing a procedure in the following manner for an off-plan or under construction property.

Once the property to be purchased has been sourced, a reservation deposit of approximately £2,000 or €3,000 is placed with the agent or developer to take the property off the market. There is normally a 21 to 28 day timeframe between the reservation deposit and initial staged payment, during which time the buyer’s legal representative will carry out due diligence on the property.

Searches carried out by the solicitor will include planning permission, building licenses, land titles, land surveys and bank guarantees. From this information the lawyer will inform the buyer whether the property represents a safe purchase. A Private Purchase Contract will also be created, outlining the obligations of both the buyer and seller during the course of construction, along with the dates and amounts of the payment schedule.

The initial staged payment will be required upon signing the Private Purchase Contract and will be calculated to a percentage amount of the sale price. The staged payments will vary between developers and different projects. The required payment schedules may also vary depending upon the stage of construction the development is under when entering the purchase agreement. Often these payments will amount to between 10% and 30% of the purchase price.

Staged payments may be either staggered throughout the course of construction, or the remaining payment may be required entirely upon completion. At the completion stage of the project, along with the remaining payments, the associated purchasing costs will be required.

Associated costs when purchasing property in Brazil include Transfer fees, Notary fees and the legal fees. All together the associated purchasing costs amount to approximately 6.5% of the property price. Often the solicitor will request 50% of the legal fees to be paid upon contracting their services, with the remaining payment upon completion.

The idyllic tropical destination with an abundance of stunning beaches represents an exceptional investment and re-location market. Property prices remain competitively low prior to the expansion of the local mortgage market to non-resident buyers. The expansion of the mortgage market is expected to attract additional buyers, bringing up property prices and increasing returns on investment.

Property Investing Overseas provides unbiased information on portfolios and international markets within the global real estate sector, ensuring clients receive full knowledge prior to entering any property investment purchase. Visit our partner site at Property Investing Brazil.

There exists an enormous opportunity for sophisticated investors and lenders in leveraging Brazilian properties. Property prices are low and the Brazil currency the REAL is getting stronger. This means the overseas property investor can win twice once on rising property values twice on the strengthening currency.

So how do foreigners buy property in Brazil?

RULES OF THE GAME.

You need a Brazilian ID called a CPF. To get a CPF you need a birth certificate translated into Portuguese by a certified translator and legalized by the Brazilian consulate in your home country.

.You make a trip to Banco Do Brasil with your passport and your birth certificate to formally apply for a CPF and pay a small fee.

The next day you go to the Receita Federal to receive your assigned CPF number. Your CPF card is mailed to an address in Brazil within two months. (That’s right, you need a Brazilian address.)

It’s best to use a trustworthy broker. Not only will the a good broker help you find a property, but he or she will make sure the price is fair, as well as make certain that the property is owned by the seller, and that there are no debts on it.

The contract is prepared by the selling broker and contains: All information of the seller and All information of the buyer. Location and specifications of the real estate – The conditions of payment(s)

The contract is signed at the office of the broker. You pay a down payment (usually about 10,000 Reais, or $3,500 usd, or $ 3,000 Euros).

When payment has been made, your broker will arrange the registration of the property into your name via a Cartorio (similar to a notary). The cost for the property transfer is approximately 4%-5% of the purchase price.

Payment can be made all at once or in installments of 12, 24, 36 or 48 months, but interest rates can be as high as 35%. If you opt to pay in installments, there is also a currency risk. In other words, if the value of the Brazilian Real goes down, your real estate becomes cheaper, and vice versa.

There is a 1% “import” tax on transfer of funds from abroad.

After registration, you are the legal owner.

There is an annual property tax of approximately 0.6% per year of the assessed value. You will need to hire a caretaker to live on the property when you are not there.

Visas: Foreigners are allowed 3 month visas, or 180 days total per year in Brazil.

If you want to apply for a permanent visa, one of the following conditions must be met: – You are married to a Brazilian. – You have a child with a Brazilian. – You invest minimum 50.000 US dollar or 40.000 Euros in Brazil.- You have reached the age of retirement (50 years) with a pension of at least 2,000 euro or US dollar per month.

Some investors in North Eastern Brazil in the region of Ceara have seen enormous profits in a short time. Beach properties and land in Fortaleza and Cumbuco have sold fast. Now is the time to buy property in Brazil.

Copyright 2006 Nicholas Marr

Nicholas Marr is a lifetime property investor and CEO of Marr International Ltd a UK based property marketing company that is responsible for Eiurope’s fastest growing overseas property web site at http://www.homesgofast.com

There are more people buying property in a foreign country than ever before, traditionally these markets were close to home, such as France and Spain, but now property markets are further afield as flight routes are introduced to more ‘exotic’ countries and flight times are shortened. Today, destinations such as Brazil are more popular with investors than ever before.

Brazil is the perfect destination for those looking to invest in property, as this fascinating country increases in popularity it is fast becoming a favourite for tourists, retirees, second-homers and investors. This new and promising market has a steady economy, low asking prices for property and a rising tourist market.

Recent years have seen an increase in the number of new developments being built in the country, both on the coastal regions and inland. Whether you are looking for a second home, retirement home or an investment to rent out, Brazil has a lot to offer. Finding a flight to Brazil is not as expensive as it once was and there are airlines that offer discounted and fares to the cities at reasonable rates. Living costs in the country are low in comparison to the UK, America and Europe.

Brazil is now acknowledged as a promising new destination for investors in property; early investors are already seeing high returns. The growth potential in the country is enormous and 20% growth per annum is standard in some of the more popular coastal locations. You can still find affordable luxury properties in Brazil and it is this factor as well as the remarkably high figures that can be gained that have caught the attention of investors.

In 2007 alone the country had more than 9 million visitors and this rise in tourism is expected to continue and grow in the future. Economic improvements have caught the attention of the international market. Over the past few years the property market has attracted a lot of interest from potential property investors due to its ability to provide buyers with important essentials such as optimism in its economy, low property prices and an emerging tourism market.

Brazil is an exotic destination with beautiful beaches, vibrant cities and huge rainforests. The cities of Brasilia, Salvador, Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro are truly amazing; with a population made up of different ethnic backgrounds there is a diverse culture and history. People here are very friendly and although the main language spoken is Portuguese, English is also widely spoken especially in the tourist resorts and cities. Your money can go a long way in Brazil as the cost of living is low in comparison to America and European countries.

Brazil has a tropical climate and wonderful coastline with over 7,000 km of untouched beaches. In recent times, a number of high quality developments have been announced in some of the most fashionable resorts including the areas of Praia Luxuosa, Cabo Sao Roque and Fontainha Beach. Its promising economic climate has put Brazil up there amongst the fastest growing and most sought-after worldwide property locations, whilst returns on investment from Brazil real estate and properties are currently amongst the highest in the world.

On the north east coast Bahia has fantastic beaches and a tropical climate attracting an increasing number of tourists and visitors to this area and, due to this, experiencing a rise in development projects. Sao Paulo is on the threshold of a property boom as it becomes acknowledged as a city that is hard-working and gains popularity as foreign businesses realise its potential for relocation. Real estate professionals also forecast that Rio, already a fashionable holiday destination, will experience a substantial growth in its development.

As it becomes easier to reach far flung destinations like Brazil with direct flights and inexpensive fares, its popularity as a viable holiday destination and promising investment climbs. As Brazil becomes an easy option, the rise in tourism revenue is expected to continue in the future. Now is the perfect time for purchasing property in Brazil as the country demonstrates a promising future ahead of it.

Michiel Van Kets provides article services for Mark Burns who specializes in property and real estate and through the Offplanworld.tv website provides coverage on the worlds major property markets including Brazil property & Brazil real estate. If you have any questions or need advice regarding Brazil and Natal property, visit the website.