Real Estate and Vehicle Purchases in Brazil: what actually matters to know
Short answer
Buying property in Brazil incurs hidden costs like transfer and notary fees, while maintenance varies based on amenities. For cars, private sellers are safer than dealerships, and auction vehicles are typically high-risk due to frequent collision damage.
From real experience
Purchasing property in Brazil involves significant non-purchase costs: ITBI (municipal transfer tax), notary fees (escritura), and registry office (cartório) fees.
These costs are often not disclosed by real estate agents upfront. Maintenance fees (condomínio) vary heavily by location and amenities, ranging from 200 BRL for studios to 700+ BRL for apartments with facilities like pools or security.
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When buying a used car in Brazil, it is generally better to purchase from private sellers (previous owners) rather than dealerships.
Dealerships may only perform cosmetic repairs, hide existing issues, and inflate prices. Private sales are often more straightforward, and the car's history (fines, accidents) can be checked online using its registration number.
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Popular platforms for renting and buying property in Brazil include 'QuintoAndar' (especially for Rio de Janeiro) and 'OLX' (a nationwide platform similar to Avito/Cyan).
Market availability varies significantly by city, and price points depend heavily on location and proximity to the coastline.
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Cars sold at auctions in Brazil are frequently damaged.
A daily observation of auction car lots reveals dozens of vehicles with varying degrees of collision damage, making intact vehicles rare. Purchasing these cars is considered high-risk.
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To purchase a car from a dealership in Brazil, you typically need a residence permit (VNM) and a rental agreement.