Gringoes.com: Buying Home in Rio de Janeiro

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Kurtz
Senior Member

Joined: 12 November 2011
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Posts: 130

Topic: Buying Home in Rio de Janeiro
Posted: 31 December 2011 at 14:09

Oi Gente

Newbie onboard but experienced traveler to Brasil since about 1996. My lady friend & dating since 2005, and we want to get married. She more than I. I reside in Miami. She lives about 30 minutes north of Niteroi, in a large, sprawling area called Sao Gonsalo. Over the years I am living all over Zona Sul. We want to buy a home, an Apartment .... She says Barra is the place we should buy. We want to live within walking distance of the Beach, a large Supermarket and viable Gym. The beginning of Barra is excellent. the area called Jardin Oceanico, and there's Academia do Praia, but very expensive.

My only concern she has no money. And I'd be buying the Apartment in full, one lump sum payment. So, if we marry before the purchase, or even after, and we divorce 1 year later, can she claim some percentage of ownership?

I love here, and she me. However, I don't want to lose my nest egg savings.

Obrigado

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BorisG
Senior Member

Joined: 26 July 2006
Location: Brazil
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Posts: 1735

Posted: 31 December 2011 at 14:15

Hello Kurtz,

I think your preventive measures would include a prenap and a separação total de bens as the property regime of the marriage. However, I´ve seen more then one case where prenaps were contested. So, there is no 100% security.

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Gringodude
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Joined: 06 January 2009
Location: Cape Verde
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Posts: 1971

Posted: 31 December 2011 at 14:21

The fact that you're already worried suggests either keeping silent about marriage or forcing a prenup. It's a touchy subject and that's understandable, but you have all the money and she has none. If she really "loves" you then you should take the precautions that keep you confident about everything.

Anyway about Barra. Great choice for buying, but you'll need a car! If you can afford it try Zona Sul

Keeping the BrazilianLifestyle

"Have a great day everyone" - Ray
"You know who you are, now go and reflect!" - Esprit

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BorisG
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Joined: 26 July 2006
Location: Brazil
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Posted: 31 December 2011 at 14:23

Not in Jardim Oceanico, it is like Zona Sul in terms of proximity to everything. There is also well developed public transportation going to all ends of Rio.

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Gringodude
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Joined: 06 January 2009
Location: Cape Verde
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Posts: 1971

Posted: 31 December 2011 at 14:34

BRT is coming to a bus stop near you! Maybe I'll try it!

Keeping the BrazilianLifestyle

"Have a great day everyone" - Ray
"You know who you are, now go and reflect!" - Esprit

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Kurtz
Senior Member

Joined: 12 November 2011
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Posts: 130

Posted: 31 December 2011 at 19:44

About buying a place in Brasil; I'm concerned but not worried. After driving my adult life, in the U.S. and the thought of driving in Barra, buying a Car in Brasil, I don't want to do but realize I might have to swallow it and do it. We lived together last year for about 3 months then we seperated due to my job in U.S. After 6 years, she claims we know each other very well, after an off and on again 6 year courtship, she has nothing & 34 years old. I told her we need to live under the same roof together for at least 6-8 months continuous, then we marry if no problems. After 6 years of dating off and on she doesn't like the idea of waiting so she wants to marry asap. Zona Sul is not an option. Way to expensive, noisy, strange people and you get nothing for your investment- a shoebox Apartment. Niteroi was an option but after passing time there, I think Barra is better. I am confused and not sure what to do.

She's a professional woman, but from a poverty stricken area of Rio. Recently lost her job as a business professional. She is now living with her Mother.

Looking ahead, my initial investment of $250k USD 2/2 Apartment & $25k USD Car = $275k USD plus furniture, and moving expenses. After everything is paid and done, I think the final total could be $350k USD. This is a lot of money and my business has taken a hit due to the American financial crises. Living in the U.S. not an option.

I understand her perspective as she deserves something in the event the marriage goes south. The problem is I am not a wealthy man, and she has nothing.

Obrigado

Edited by Kurtz - 31 December 2011 at 19:55

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Gosteelers
Senior Member

Joined: 24 February 2010
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 129

Posted: 01 January 2012 at 11:39

Kurtz,

IMHO, dont take marriage decision in haste despite her "immense desire to get married in rush". Most likely, most of the senior members on this forum will render you the same advice. You gave her a very reasonable and sincere offer of living together for some time ( I personally dont thik that 6-7 months is enough) and then make decision about marriage later. I know Sao Goncalo area and folks living there little bit- mostly lower middle class folks and some poor folks. But they live everyday with dream of getting out of their area to move to Zonasul and I guess now (Barra too) someday since it elevates their (stupid) class in the society they move everyday. But they will constantly keep in touch with their folks from their neighborhood and will go there very often.

In your case of buying apt in your budget will be tough. Prices had gone up considerably up in the areas you are looking for. I am in your shoes as well. I am doing research for the last 6 months( except last one month when I was traveling all over Brazil and now back again to Rio) and my budget is very similar to yours. But last month in that price range you can not even get a 1BR apt in zona sul in decent neighborhood. In barra you can foget about Jardim Oceanico part of Barra. You must be familiar with Alcantara (very close to Sao Goncalo). One of my friends just bought a 3 BR apt in new condominimum called "Parques de Agua" (only 68 m2) in Alcantara for R230K.

In Niteroi there are good areas like Itaicara, Jardim Itaicara. There you might get some decent 2 BR apt - in your range but far from beach (5-6 blocks). But closer you get to beach, prices go up very considerably.

In Barra (close to Recreio) around Autodrome area and Rio center the prices of the new condominiums are in 300 k range but you can grab some good opportunity in your range since you are cash buyer.

I will continue my search again and will keep you posted if I find some thing different in situation and you do the same..

Happy new year and good luck!!!!

Edited by Gosteelers - 01 January 2012 at 17:28

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Kurtz
Senior Member

Joined: 12 November 2011
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Posts: 130

Posted: 01 January 2012 at 12:04

Thanks - Obrigado

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Gringo.Floripa
Gringoes.com Guru

Joined: 17 June 2010
Location: Brazil
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Posts: 4514

Posted: 01 January 2012 at 13:51

Originally posted by Kurtz

I told her we need to live under the same roof together for at least 6-8 months continuous, then we marry if no problems. After 6 years of dating off and on she doesn't like the idea of waiting so she wants to marry asap.

Ya see there... your intuition is already telling you how to proceed. Following my intuition has never failed me, whereas following what other people think and say, often has produced less than desirable results! I concur with Gosteelers, I would even go so far as making the trial period 8-12 months.

Originally posted by Kurtz

Looking ahead, my initial investment of $250k USD 2/2 Apartment & $25k USD Car = $275k USD plus furniture, and moving expenses. After everything is paid and done, I think the final total could be $350k USD. This is a lot of money and my business has taken a hit due to the American financial crises. Living in the U.S. not an option.

Take a piece of paper, fold it in half, write all you stated above on one side, then on the other side write down what you think would be your rental costs for one year, but not including utilities (since you didn't include that above). Err on the high side. Now add R$25,000 for some basic appliances and furnishings (which you can take with you). Which do you feel more comfortable with?

Boa sorte!!!

Edited by Gringo.Floripa - 01 January 2012 at 13:57

I might bark, but I don't bite.

(trolls, sock puppets, Brasil-bashers, and "Joined:Today" persons too lazy to use the Search function excluded; cry babies too)

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Kurtz
Senior Member

Joined: 12 November 2011
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 130

Posted: 01 January 2012 at 15:39

I wonder how many Guys lost their next egg savings buying in Brasil, and the Brasilian wife got the the property free and clear. My bet is most Guys walk away. The hassles of fighting in Brasil could take a toll on a foreign man. My experiences living in Brasil & traveling there, foreighners have little rights and my opinion means almost nothing.

Investing in Brasil or buying a home there is a hard pill to swallow.

Edited by Kurtz - 01 January 2012 at 15:51

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