Although almost 3,000 miles apart, both the ‘Sunshine State’ of Florida and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil prove favourite destinations for those who seek a warm climate and activities for all ages.
Florida’s many hundreds of miles of fabulous beaches, world-famous theme parks and consistently sunny weather prove an enticing blend for tourists and property buyers alike. Michael Saunders of Michael Saunders & Company says,
“The property market in Sarasota and its surrounding Gulf Coast communities has been extremely active, helped in no small part by international acclaim for our beaches and resort-style lifestyle, a healthy economy that is attracting new businesses large and small; and by Sarasota’s growing international reputation as a major American hub for the arts and culture.
“This has made our region the go-to place for active retirees, youthful entrepreneurs and business and service professionals; as well as second home-buyers from the US and abroad. Like many of the most sought-after US markets, our inventories of properties have struggled to keep up with demand over the past couple of years. But that appears to be changing as home values rise and more sellers list their homes; and as new home builders catch up with the demand for move-in ready homes.”
Moving on to central Florida, Bob Glaser of Smith & Associates says,
“The Tampa Bay market has been experiencing three years of accelerated growth in single family values, with a continued lower than average inventory, days on the market average under 30, with values being at 97% of the listed price. With a limited number of new condominiums in each of the city cores, unlike other major Florida cities, there is no overbuilding of new offerings, therefore values on the homes although affordable to most markets have seen value escalation. The interest rates continue to allow a great affordability index for buyers in all price ranges.”
New figures show that more people are coming to live in Orlando, placing it among the top 10 fastest-growing United States cities for 2016. Orlando’s population grew 2.31% in 2015 and is projected to rise by another 2.03% this year, according to new figures from the Forbes.com website. Data from the 2014 census shows that metropolitan Orlando had 2.3million people and with more of the growing number of 62million visitors set to be converted to residents and a growing number of retirees looking to relocate to the region, the population is set to continue growing. Garrett Kenny, who heads up leading Central Florida developer and agent, Feltrim Group, says the fact that Orlando is among the fastest growing US cities comes as little surprise.
“With Orlando’s world-class theme parks and leading entertainment attractions, plus a huge choice of shopping, sports and top-quality real estate and sunny weather, who would want to live anywhere else?”
Tampa, Florida
This magnificent home is on approximately four acres overlooking a large pond and the fourth green of Palma Ceia’s golf course. It offers gated privacy and security and is designed in an Old World French country style. The 10,771 square foot mansion includes seven bedrooms and six bathrooms, a grand foyer, spacious guest suite or media room over the four-car garage, gourmet kitchen with high-end appliances, three fireplaces and a first floor master suite overlooking the extensive gardens with his and hers bathrooms. There is intricate millwork throughout including a library panelled with 200 year-old sunken cypress. The grounds include fabulous trees, landscape lighting, rose gardens, fountains and a pond with bridge to the golf course.
£4.8m / €6.2m / $6.9m
Smith & Associates Real Estate
www.smithandassociates.com
Balmoral at Water’s Edge, Orlando, Florida
This 245 home development is just 25 minutes south of Walt Disney World and close to Legoland Florida. It is also just a mile from the celebrated Southern Dunes Golf Club. The 113-acre private gated community is set in glorious lakeland, parkland and gardens and features elegant Tuscan-style three to eight-bedroom, fully furnished homes, each with a private pool. The private, gated development has resort-style facilities such as waterslides, lakes, tropical gardens, a clubhouse, gym, restaurant, pitch and putt and a football academy by Brazilian soccer legend Ronaldo. Buyers are offered a leaseback guarantee option of 6% net for up to three years inclusive of property management, property taxes, HOA (Homeowners’ Association) fees and rental commission. Owners get limited use of the property and all property management will be handled from the clubhouse.
From £228,800 / €290,900 / $328,000
www.feltrimgroup.com
Sarasota, Florida
Aquadisia is a landmark gulf-to-lagoon property on almost four acres behind the gates of the exclusive Sanderling Club on Siesta Key. With an extraordinary 529 feet on the Gulf of Mexico and 155 feet on Heron Lagoon, this modern and private estate is wrapped on all sides by pools that flow to a striking water wall. It includes a master retreat with spa-like bath, a sleek kitchen, dramatic dining area, luxurious lounges, an office, sauna, massage room and garage. The grounds include a labyrinth garden, reflection pond with floating glass cube, royal palm grove, beach lagoon and a sunset pier. The secondary beach house offers Gulf views, as well as a seaside pavilion. Shifting focus to Heron Lagoon, the guesthouse features a floating dock for kayaking. Boat dockage is also available to Sanderling residents.
£12.5m / €16.1m / $18m Michael Saunders & Company
www.michaelsaunders.com
Olympic Host City
Rio de Janeiro is about to hold one of the greatest sporting events in the world – the 2016 Summer Olympics. This vast seaside city in Brazil has invested millions on infrastructure and facilities and is ready to welcome the many hundreds of thousands of visitors this summer. For some people, Rio de Janeiro is a-once-in-a-lifetime bucket list experience, while for others, it is a frequent holiday destination. In both cases there is no better way to experience one of the most vibrant and beautiful cities in the world, than from the comfort of your own property. Charlie Jonas is sales manager for Rio Exclusive, a leading provider of high-end real estate and concierge services in Rio. He says,
“Whether it is the exchange rate in favour of foreign currencies, or the diminishing market values, investing in a Brazilian property nowadays is not only accessible it is also very wise. From penthouses overlooking the sea, to studios or mansions, we have an array of properties that can be tailored to all budgets.
“Rio Exclusive’s core business deals with short term rentals, meaning that we offer all the property management services to our investors. We are therefore capable of taking care of our clients from seeking the perfect property to managing its short-term rentals.”
Samantha Mortner Flores, managing partner of Rio-based realtor Town Imobiliaria, also believes now is a very good time to buy.
“The tourism profile of Rio will only strengthen after the Olympics,”
she says,
“which will make the market even more attractive.The investment where people buy, sometimes stay in it and at other times leave it with an agency to rent out is still strong.
“It’s very important to buy in areas close to the beaches so you can benefit from the tourism profile. Rio also has a lot of old stock – the majority of apartments were constructed in the 1950s, 60s and 70s, with many having done minimal work to the décor since then. Often your purchase will need improvements, which is a great opportunity to simply increase the value of the property.
“Properties anywhere on the beach are assets that rarely fall in price and can be difficult to find to purchase. There’s no indication the Brazilian real will be getting much stronger any time soon, so I think it will continue to be a good period to buy for some time.”
CityBeach, Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro
With breathtaking views of the Christ the Redeemer Statue and Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, CityBeach Penthouse has open living spaces with modern furnishings and an impressive outdoor terrace area with a private pool. Its living spaces are designed to embrace the views and embody pure comfort. The living room features large windows and inviting sofas, while the two bedrooms are spacious with carefully selected furnishings. A modern, gourmet kitchen also has all amenities needed for intimate meals or elegant dinner parties.
£1.49m / €1.9m / $2.17m Town Imobiliaria
www.town.com.br
Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro
This sky-high, 1,000m2 linear penthouse overlooks the beach, ocean and all of Copacabana. One of Rio’s most stylish penthouses, it features a huge living room facing the ocean with floor to ceiling windows. Other highlights include a modern American style kitchen, four spacious bedrooms, all with en suite bathrooms, a fifth smaller en suite bedroom and an additional living area. A large pool overlooks the beach and ocean and there is also a sauna for cooler days. The over sized terrace wrapped around the pool and the penthouse makes for ideal outdoor living and entertaining. Should you need six additional bedrooms of the same standard, the adjoining 500m2 penthouse is also for sale and the two can easily be linked together.
£6.9m / €8.8m / $10m or £8.6m / €11m / $12.5m for both penthouses
Rio Exclusive
www.rioexclusive.com
Ipanema Sublime, Rio de Janeiro
Superb duplex penthouse on the most exclusive part of the Ipanema beachfront with ocean views from every room. This exquisite residence has an extraordinarily large open plan living space on the lower floor along with four large bedrooms, each with en suite, and a state-of-the-art kitchen with maids’ quarters to sleep two full time staff. On the upper floor, an infinity edge swimming pool drops off to the best part of Ipanema beach below. Also located on the top floor is a private gym and large living area with breathtaking views stretching from Arpoador to the Two Brother mountains.
£19.83m / €25.46m / $28.91m
Town Imobiliaria
www.town.com.br
