Property in Florianopolis 'provides a life of luxury'
Date added: 12th July, 2011 at 14:00
(view all articles from July, 2011)
Categories: Property News, Florianopolis
Property in Florianopolis, on the south Brazilian island of Santa Catarina, is a world away from the affordable housing projects springing up across the rest of the country.
An article in the New York Times paints a picture of the peaceful area, where rich foreigners come to take career breaks.
Florianopolis is the only city on Santa Catarina and its name is often used by locals to refer to the whole island, frequently shortened to Floripa.
Originally inhabited by Portuguese-speaking fishermen from the Azores, the area has seen inflows of foreigners who have come to set up home.
The first wave of expatriates were Argentinians, the news provider noted, but blonde hair and blue eyes are now commonplace on the narrow 33-mile long island, as Europeans file in to enjoy the region's beauty and high-end living.
Indeed, the New York Times spoke to one westerner who found himself in the Brazilian property industry after initially moving to Florianopolis for the sand and surf.
Hans Keeling, from California, worked for a law firm in New York before he decided to pack his bags and look for a better quality of life abroad.
Like many expatriates in the area, the 35-year-old soon forgot his original plan to have a break from it all, tempted by the opportunities offered by property development in the area and set up his own real estate business - Floripa Vacation Homes.
Mr Keeling's investment may have been a shrewd one, as the news agency highlighted how the value of houses on the island has increased by up to ten per cent over the last half a decade.
The houses here are a far cry from the sprawling favelas Brazil has become famous for, with luxury pads offered in a low-crime environment that can be easily explored owing to the public bus service and surfaced roads.
Indeed, Mr Keeling has on his books a four-bedroom house in local residential complex Praia Mole's Vale do Sol, for which he asking 2.7 million reais (£1.07 million).
At these prices, property in Florianopolis hardly seems a bargain for overseas buyers, particularly as the real rises against the dollar and the euro, but now could be the time to make an investment, as one expert believes the value of such abodes is set to keep rising.
Ricardo Valls, of real estate developer Imobisul, explained that changes need to be made to Floripa before it can accommodate an influx of new residents itching to live in the luxurious area.
"The island needs to be prepared for more new arrivals," he told the news provider. "This means new schools, hospitals and leisure options away from the beach. "If and when this new infrastructure is put in place, there could be further significant price rises," Mr Valls added.
The government of the state of Santa Catarina describes the thriving tourist trade in and around Florianopolis on its website.
It notes that the holiday destination Balneario Camboriu is home to just 75,000 people but during the summer, its streets are swarming with over 800,000 individuals.
Property Bond International Ltd was established in 2003 to help overseas buyers purchase Brazilian Property Investments. A free personal search service is also offered whereby clients specify exact requirements and properties are searched for. Property Bond also offers a consultancy service for clients or businesses wishing to enter into Brazil to make contact with product suppliers or purchase other investments, rent offices. - see www.brazilianassets.com 
Related Articles
JPMorgan trust for investment in Brazil sees strong returns
Date added: 12th July, 2011 at 10:12
(view all articles from July, 2011)
Property in Rio de Janeiro may attract a diverse range of tourists
Date added: 11th July, 2011 at 10:42
(view all articles from July, 2011)
Hotels for sale in Brazil could see high levels of demand
Date added: 7th July, 2011 at 10:50
(view all articles from July, 2011)