Frequently asked questions

No. Any foreigner can invest in and buy real estate in Florida as an investment or as a vacation home.

No, the contract and deed signing process can be done entirely remotely, with complete security and simplicity.

Currently, it's around 25% of the property value. This can vary between 20% and 30% depending on each individual's credit analysis.

No, unlike in Brazil, here you don't need to pay off the mortgage to the bank that originally financed it before you can sell it. It works like this: your buyer's bank will pay the full amount of the property upfront to the Title Company. This company, in turn, will pay all creditors, including the outstanding balance with your financing bank, and the remainder will be passed on to you.

Yes, you can. Even as a tourist, there are bank financing programs like DSCR that allow you to finance multiple properties at the same time, as long as you always have a 25% down payment for each property.

Yes. Banks already have numerous programs aimed at foreigners that allow for the analysis of their profile and approval of their financing to be done by evaluating their income in Brazil, through pay stubs, income tax returns, or even financial transactions.

No. That's a BIG mistake many people make. The best opportunity initially is always to buy as a tourist, because that way you can use your proof of income from Brazil. After you get your Social Security or Green Card, banks will already see you as a resident, and from then on, you'll need to prove declared income for at least 2 years, which will force you to spend an average of 3 years paying rent, a period in which you'll be spending an amount very close to what you would put down as a down payment on your own property as a foreigner.

It depends. There are specific zoning regulations, meaning some cities only allow houses for permanent residence or long-term rental (minimum of 7 months), while other cities allow short-term rentals (Airbnb).

It depends. If it's a short-term property, yes, because every time someone moves in or out, the property needs to be inspected to ensure it's left in perfect condition. However, if you buy a residential house and rent it out long-term, I don't see much need for a property management company, since inspections will only be done when the tenant moves in and out. Personally, I always buy new properties because they usually have a 5-year warranty. This way, any problems the tenant has will be the responsibility of the construction company to fix, saving me time and money.

We have been working in partnership for 5 years with a large brokerage firm that in turn works with several banks. All transactions are made with foreign exchange contracts and do not pass through third parties; the money goes directly from your account to the account of the construction company or the Registry Office here in the United States (Title Company).

In the US real estate market, there isn't this culture of "asking for a discount." What you can do when buying a semi-new house is submit an offer, which may or may not be accepted. But normally the market doesn't accept offers below the advertised price. To buy at good prices, the best way is to buy off-plan properties that have discount schedules.

No. Obtaining Permanent Residency authorization has no connection whatsoever with buying a house. Regardless of your immigration status, or even if you don't have a tourist visa, you can always buy a house as an investor. But to have the right to reside permanently, you will always need the guidance of a trusted lawyer.

Each option has its advantages and disadvantages. Generally speaking, the borrower will always be the individual behind the institution, so there isn't much room for financing as a company. Unless you already have prior experience with successful real estate investments in the US and can prove it to the bank. The good news is that the US allows you to finance as an individual and transfer ownership of the property to your company (an LLC). Having the property in the name of a company has some advantages, such as creating an extra layer of legal protection and allowing you to use mechanisms like DSCR financing and the tax exemption known as the 1031 Exchange, which allows you to use that money to invest in another property instead of paying capital gains tax. Regarding tax declaration and payment, if the property belongs to your company in the USA, this can prevent you from becoming a tax resident initially, avoiding universal income taxation on your personal assets. A more in-depth case-by-case analysis is necessary to define the best strategy for each person, and I'm here precisely to help you with that.

Yes, but you probably won't meet the requirements for those programs. These are generally FHA (Federal Housing Administration) programs, a kind of Ministry of Housing that subsidizes financing to allow middle-class workers to afford a home for their family. In fact, there are even 0% down payment options, such as VA Loans, intended for military personnel. But for foreigners, the minimum down payment nowadays is 25%, and for those who have had an ITIN number for more than a year, there's a possibility of buying with a 15% down payment. Later on, when you're working, earning, and filing income tax in the USA, you'll have more opportunities to make down payments of 15%, 10%, and even 5%.

Your mortgage payment already includes mandatory insurance and the annual property tax (IPTU). The only additional expense is the HOA (Housing and Accommodation Authority) fee, which typically ranges from $80 to $180.

It depends. If the house is in an area that doesn't allow short-term rentals (like Airbnb), you could rent a room to someone, but for a minimum period of 7 months. Even then, it will depend on the specific rules of your building. Some buildings allow this practice, while others restrict it.

In August 2024, the average time to sell is 22 days.

Generally, the construction company requests a 5% to 10% down payment and takes between 2 and 8 months to complete the construction. There are no installments during construction. Only when the house is ready do you pay the remainder of the down payment. For example, if you secured financing with a 25% down payment, and you already paid 10% upfront, when you receive the keys you will only pay an additional 15%.

I help, but indirectly. By recommending competent partners with excellent customer service who can provide you with all the support you need under my supervision.

No. The down payment can be sent directly to the builder's account, or to the Title Company's account, which will hold the money until everything is in order, and only then will it transfer your money to the seller. The bank that is financing you automatically opens an account for your financing, which you will use to make the monthly payments.

One of the major factors determining the appreciation of residential properties is proximity to schools with good ratings. This is basically because, when we talk about public schools, what determines which schools your children will attend is precisely the region where the property is located. You cannot choose which school you want your children to attend. Therefore, it is natural that properties associated with schools that have high ratings are more sought after and appreciate in value.

The price varies depending on the location and type of property. In more sought-after areas, such as Winter Garden, homes can start around $399,000, but luxury properties can exceed millions of dollars. Similarly, if you move 20 to 30 minutes away from Winter Garden, such as to Winter Haven, you can find homes starting at $250,000.

In addition to the property value, you will need to pay closing costs, which include inspection fees, title insurance, registration fees, taxes, and other expenses, generally ranging from 3% to 5% of the property value.

In August 2024, interest rates for foreigners are usually slightly higher than for residents, ranging between 5.5% and 8%, depending on the client's profile and the bank.

The process typically takes 30 to 45 days, depending on factors such as funding, inspection, and document completion.

Investing in already well-developed areas like Winter Garden tends to have slightly lower appreciation but greater liquidity. If you're looking to profit more in a medium-term window (up to 3 years), I would recommend intermediate regions like Clermont and Mineolla. If you're thinking long-term, perhaps the best option would be in still more developing areas like St. Cloud, Davenport, and Winter Haven.

A title company is responsible for verifying the property's title history, ensuring there are no outstanding debts, and closing the transaction, transferring ownership to the buyer.

Expenses include property taxes, homeowners insurance, condo association fees (if applicable), and maintenance. Generally, insurance and annual taxes are already included in your monthly mortgage payment. The most common separate expense is the HOA (Homeowners Association) fee, which typically ranges from $80 to $200 per month.

For properties financed by a bank, the bank requires mandatory insurance. If you buy the house outright, you could choose not to have insurance, which is highly discouraged.

Townhomes, or townhouses, are what we know in Brazil as semi-detached houses, where the house is in the same structure as another house. These houses tend to be smaller and more practical, and generally all maintenance, such as lawn mowing and exterior painting, is the responsibility of the condominium. Bungalows, on the other hand, are a type of single-family home, meaning a house with its own exclusive plot of land and not attached to other houses. The main characteristic of a bungalow is having the entrance at the front and the garage at the back. A traditional single-family home, however, is a house on its own exclusive plot of land with an entrance and garage at the front, allowing for a backyard, which often includes a swimming pool and additional outdoor space.