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Profit from middle-class housing in Brazil

15th November 2009 Print
Capim Macio, Natal, Brazil

Brazil is now officially a middle class country with 52% of the 190 million-strong population falling into this bracket.  These professionals are using new found wealth to snap up status symbols from televisions to new cars (sales of the latter jumped almost 20% in September of this year) and of course a stylish apartment is next on the list.  The problem is that Brazil has significant supply shortages in that all-important middle-sector bracket, something which certainly applies to the north-eastern city of Natal.  But a solution is on its way.

The State of Rio Grande do Norte is calculated to have a current deficit of 143,319 houses of which 24,000 apply to the capital city of Natal.  Upwardly mobile Natal professionals emboldened by reduced interest rates on mortgages (Brazil’s Central Bank has slashed interest rates by five percentage points already this year) are now highly home-owner hungry and envisage themselves in chic homes close to infrastructure that will deliver them to work and to play.  Capim Macio is just what they’re looking for.

Samantha Gore, Sales and Marketing Director for Brazil real estate specialists uv10.com comments, “According to the Government Capim Macio ranks first amongst Natal’s top three income-per-capita suburbs yet is the only one of the trio that can boast a coveted location close to the beach.  City planners have tipped the area for even bigger things and ploughed a substantial 43 million Reais (15 million pounds) into infrastructure since 2008.  This covers shopping centres, schools, office space and a general facelift for the neighbourhood.  As a result Capim Macio is forecast to enjoy the highest capital appreciation in Natal over the five-year build-up for World Cup 2014.  This is the ideal spot for a hands-free overseas property investment which cannot fail to deliver returns based on simple supply-demand principles.”

Residencial Capim Macio uv10.com/brazil-property-natal-capim-macio-1.php is a 42-unit development in a privileged city-beach location.  Many of the city’s best-loved shops, bars and restaurants are on the doorstep and the 4km long Ponta Negra beach with its famous dune is within easy reach, as is Natal’s business district.  Designed with the white-collar worker in mind, Residencial Capim Macio is gated, protected by 24-hour security, offers private parking and has communal relaxation areas to include barbecue facilities and a refreshing swimming pool.  Homes have pre-installation for air-conditioning as well as TV and internet.   

The two bedroom two bathroom apartments are priced from 126,612.20 Reais (approx. £44,000 pounds) which is below current market value to the tune of 28% thanks to an early land purchase on the part of the developer.  Various calculations have been made on the ROI to be achieved by those buying now and selling upon completion in 18 months’ time.  These range from 14% based on a conservative 5% capital appreciation per annum up to 28% based on a more-likely 15% capital appreciation - particularly, as an official FIFA World Cup 2014 host city, Natal’s brand new 45,000-capacity Estadio das Dunas stadium will be within 3.5km of Residencial Capim Macio’s doorstep.  This is a net return taking into account a sales commission and CGT and is based on the 18 month build period upon which resale will be very easily achievable.    

Prices start from 126,612.20 Reais (approx. £44,000 pounds) for a two bedroom two bathroom apartment.  Payment terms are 25% upon start of construction (Q4 2009) and six equal stage payments until completion (Q1 2011) where a final 10% will be payable with keys.  Should owners wish to hang on to the property up until World Cup 2014 a rental guarantee of 6% is in place for those four years although, with the help of the developer’s rental management service, uv10.com would suggest operating outside of the guarantee as market studies put net returns at 9%. 

For more information, visit uv10.com.

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