Brazilians expand real estate investments in Florida, following a trend already embraced by celebrities

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The search for dollarization, asset protection, and long-term appreciation has turned the American state into a priority destination for Brazilian investors.

Brazilian artists such as Deborah Secco, Larissa Manoela, Anitta, and Claudia Leitte help illustrate a movement that has been steadily consolidating over recent years: the growth of Brazilian real estate investments in Florida. More than a lifestyle choice, this decision reflects a clear strategy to protect and grow assets outside Brazil.

While famous names draw attention, they represent only the most visible side of a phenomenon that has spread among entrepreneurs, independent professionals, and Brazilian families. The logic behind these decisions is driven by capital dollarization, legal security, and the search for resilient assets in the face of economic and political instability.

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According to Maqueli Florida, a Brazilian real estate broker specialized in the Florida market, the movement is the result of a rare combination of factors. “Dollarizing assets goes far beyond simply buying dollars. It means investing in solid assets in a strong currency. Real estate offers exactly that, with the added advantage of being an investment Brazilians already know, trust, and understand,” she explains.

Florida brings together characteristics that make this process especially attractive. The state does not charge personal income tax, offers mortgage financing to foreigners, including Brazilians, with long terms and more competitive rates than those practiced in Brazil, and also allows strategies such as the 1031 Exchange, which makes it possible to reinvest capital gains without immediate taxation. In practice, this increases the capacity for wealth growth over time.

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Another determining factor is the historical appreciation of real estate. Even after strong increases in recent years, the U.S. housing market maintains a consistent long-term trajectory. Data from past decades shows that investors achieved positive returns most of the time, with downturn periods being occasional and short-lived. In Florida, this dynamic is even more pronounced, driven by population growth, constant tourism, and both domestic and international migration flows.

The pandemic further reinforced this scenario. Regions across the state saw significant appreciation within just a few years, highlighting the resilience of real estate assets even amid adverse global conditions. “Real estate is a basic-necessity investment. People may cut expenses, but they don’t stop needing a place to live. That’s what makes the sector especially strong in times of crisis,” says Maqueli Florida.

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Today, Brazilian buyers in Florida fall into three main profiles: those looking to live there, those investing remotely, and those using property as a wealth-protection instrument. Many begin with investments while structuring a gradual transition to the United States, maintaining businesses in Brazil. Others remain in the country and manage their properties with ease, either through residential rentals or specialized short-term rental companies.

Even with recent appreciation, experts believe there are still opportunities, especially in the segment of properties aimed at essential housing, known as necessity homes. Currently, the market is experiencing a more buyer-friendly moment, with greater inventory, which increases negotiating power and attracts investors attentive to the economic cycle.

More than a temporary movement, what is taking shape is a structural shift in how Brazilians view international real estate investment. Florida has moved beyond being just a tourist destination or second-home market and has assumed a central role in strategies for asset allocation, protection, and wealth internationalization.