The Florida real estate market has seen remarkable appreciation in recent years, and now there’s a special factor fueling this growth: investments from Brazil.
Faced with an economy in turmoil—marked by 12.25% annual interest rates and a staggering 24% devaluation of the Brazilian real against the dollar in the past 12 months—Brazilians are actively competing for properties, particularly in Central Florida.
Investing in U.S. real estate to dollarize their assets has become the top strategy for Brazilians, who, in 2024 alone, moved over $56 billion out of Brazil. And much of that money finds its way to Florida—not by chance. The Sunshine State, currently the fastest-growing in the U.S., has proven to be a strong and promising market, effectively weathering global financial uncertainties and potential crises.
But how are Brazilians, many of whom don’t speak English, managing to invest in real estate safely? That’s where specialists like Maqueli Gewehr, better known as Maqueli Florida, come into play.
The former Brazilian model, now a prominent real estate agent in Florida, sold over 70 million BRL worth of properties to Brazilians in the first half of 2024 alone. According to Maqueli, most of her clients are investors and families desperate to transfer part of their wealth out of Brazil.
“When they embark on the home-buying journey, Brazilian clients quickly realize that the process is far simpler and safer than they ever imagined. Most closings are done via video call, and contracts are signed online with complete security,” Maqueli explains.
A trusted name among Brazilians looking to invest in the U.S., Maqueli has worked with clients from more than 10 different countries. The year 2024 has been particularly significant for her, earning her recognition as a Top Producer in various awards and securing her a coveted spot in the prestigious Million Dollar Club, an honor reserved for the year’s top-performing agents.
With a background in accounting and certification as an investment specialist, Maqueli has also been an active real estate investor for 13 years. Today, she owns multiple properties in Florida. She believes her experience as an investor adds a layer of credibility and trust to her work.
“Brazilians lacked a more hands-on and personalized approach—not just showing them the best properties but also teaching them investment strategies like the 1031 Exchange, Homestead exemptions, and many other critical details that not all agents are equipped to explain,” Maqueli says.
While vacation homes were once the main focus of Brazilian investors, residential properties are now taking center stage. The reason is clear: residential properties have shown far superior appreciation compared to vacation homes.
“The U.S. is a country where credit is widely accessible. Brazilians can purchase homes using income documentation from Brazil, providing a 25% down payment and financing the rest over 30 years. Even without income proof, they can still qualify for financing through programs like DSCR loans, which allow Brazilian investors to finance as many investment properties as they want, provided they have 25% for the down payment,” she explains.
As Brazil’s government struggles with plummeting approval ratings and the absence of a clear economic plan, the U.S. has emerged as the top choice for those looking to dollarize at least part of their wealth. While economic prospects in Brazil remain bleak, the U.S. market looks promising, especially with policies under the Trump administration aimed at stimulating economic growth and the real estate sector. These policies are expected to further boost property values in Florida and strengthen the U.S. dollar against emerging-market currencies like the Brazilian real.
The demand from Brazilian investors in Florida’s real estate market shows no signs of slowing down. And that’s good news for Maqueli, the award-winning agent with 5-star reviews on Google, who prides herself on offering premium, client-focused service. Her dedication to answering every question and guiding clients through each step of the process has made her a trusted name in the industry.
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