Property bargains in beautiful Brazil
Where better for an overseas investment and holiday retreat than Brazil, a country where it is literally summer all year, an average of 26ºC every single day, and where there are thousands of kilometres of tropical white sandy beaches from which to enjoy the sunshine. Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world and has enormous potential for tourism which until recently remained untapped. When the new Government took office in 2003 it immediately created a Ministry of Tourism for the first time and tourism is now firmly on the agenda.
Hundreds of millions of dollars have been invested in international tourism fairs, infrastructure and environmental preservation and the target is to grow tourist arrivals annually from the current base of 5.5 million to 9 million over the next couple of years.
Brazil certainly has all the assets; sunshine aside Brazil has a rich culture, infectious music and dance, a cost of living at a fifth of that of the UK, no history of hurricanes or earthquakes and north Brazil is the closest part of Latin America to Europe at only nine hours by direct flights from the UK. To confirm its popularity, a recent survey by the Ministry of Tourism discovered that 96% of visitors to Brazil planned to come back.
Natal, in the north east of Brazil, is the country’s most interesting property hotspot and the setting for ‘Porto dos Corais’ (Port of Coral) a gated community of apartments and villas.
Natal, nicknamed ‘The City of the Sun’ for obvious reasons, has a stunning coastline characterised by endless beaches, coconut trees, lagoons and sand dunes. Natal also enjoys all modern conveniences from shopping malls to restaurants.
Adam Cornwell, Director of GEM Estates, explains why the area has such potential, “Natal is also playing its part in boosting Brazil’s tourist industry by developing more than ten golf courses, investing 1.8 billion US dollars into new hotels and resorts and by June 2009 Natal will be home to the biggest airport in South America, the eighth biggest in the world, a sure sign of a safe property investment. Porto dos Corais offers fully furnished top quality units for between 740 and 940 euros per square metre and seasoned investors will realise just how competitive those prices are, although they will undoubtedly rise as public awareness grows and Natal matures.”
Porto dos Corais is set in the idyllic fishing village of Maracajaú, a 56km drive north of Natal, with a petite population of 2,500. Here the white sand is lapped by crystal-clear waters and a beautiful 13km² natural coral reef sits just a few kilometres off-shore.
Adjacent to Maracajaú is a popular aquapark whilst various residential projects and several golf courses are planned for the area, with the local authorities paying great attention to the environment before granting licences.
Porto dos Corais, just 150 metres from the sandy beach, will be built to exacting European standards and all properties will be delivered fully fitted and furnished. On-site facilities include no less than six swimming pools, a Spa and gymnasium, football pitch, tennis court, volleyball and basketball courts, restaurant and bar, all protected by 24 hour security. Prices start from just 40,000 euros for a one-bedroom apartment up to 122,000 euros for a two bedroom villa with large roof terrace. Three bedroom villas are available for as little as 84,000 euros. Full bank guarantees are in place, a rarity for an emerging market, so all monies paid to the developer are safe.
The property market in Natal is in its relative infancy and the coastline is almost development-free. Prices are extremely low; yet this cannot last as the market is tipped to grow at a phenomenal rate. A luxurious property in a near-perfect location now will certainly be the investment success story of the future.
For more information, visit gem-estates.com.
