Independent Buyer’s Agent in Brazil
Most property agents in Brazil represent the seller. We represent you. Our focus is finding the right property, negotiating the right terms and protecting your interests — without a property portfolio to push or a seller to please.
The Ipanema Standard
100% Buyer-Side. We work for buyers and do not have conflict of interests with sellers, developers or agencies.
End-to-End Service. NIE, banking, legal, notary and taxes handled.
Built for Internationals. Full English process, remote-friendly with PoA.
Aligned Fees. The harder we negotiate, the more we earn.
A Real Estate Professional Exclusively on Your Side
The same model used by sophisticated investors — now available to international buyers in Brazil.
In Brazil, property agents generally represent the seller or the property being offered. Their role is to market properties and bring the transaction to a close. That is fundamentally different from having someone whose sole responsibility is to represent the buyer.
A buyer’s agent works exclusively on your side. We help you identify suitable properties, assess their value and potential, negotiate with sellers and coordinate the purchase process — always with your interests in mind.
For international buyers, this can make a significant difference. You may not speak Portuguese, understand the local market or know how the Brazilian buying process works. Having someone on your side locally gives you an independent perspective and a dedicated representative throughout the purchase.
“Buying property abroad is different when someone is working exclusively for you. We bring independent buyer representation and local expertise together to make buying in Brazil easier and more secure.”
Lennart Thomas • Founder, Ipanema Real Estate
Two very different roles and incentives
Aspect
Listing Agent
Ipanema Buyer's Agent
Who Pays them
The Selling Party
You, as the Buyer
Whose interest they protect
🔴 Seller's Interest
🟢 Buyer's Interest
Property scope
🔴 Limited to their listings
🟢 Full market + off-market access
Negotiation incentive
🔴 Higher price = higher commission
🟢 Lower price = higher commission
Due diligence depth
🔴 Minimal — they just want closure
🟢 Comprehensive legal, technical, urban
Post-purchase support
🔴 None after signing
🟢 Full setup, utilities, taxes, management
From First Call to Keys in Hand
A structured 7-stage methodology refined over 12+ years working with international buyers across Brazil. It mirrors the standard buying process in Brazil, with a buyer-side layer at every stage.
01
Free 45-minute consultation to understand your goals, budget, location preferences and timeline. No commitment.
02
Search Brief & Onboarding
We sign a buyer-side mandate, request your CPF, set up your Brazilian bank account, and — if you require residency — prepare your residency application.
03
Property Sourcing & Shortlisting
We source from the entire market — listed and off-market — and pre-screen properties on your behalf. You receive a curated shortlist.
04
Viewings & Local Assessment
We conduct in-person viewings (with you or on your behalf via video) and provide our independent technical and market assessment across the four regions we cover.
05
Negotiation & Reservation
We negotiate price and terms aggressively and execute the reservation contract. You can see the discounts we’ve secured in recent operations.
06
Legal Due Diligence & Notary
Full legal review (registry, urban, debts, community), title verification and signing at the notary — with Power of Attorney if you can’t attend in person.
07
Post-Purchase Setup
Tax registration, utilities transfer, community fees, insurance setup, and key handover.
Everything an International Buyer Needs in Brazil
A genuine one-stop shop for the acquisition itself. We handle every step so you can focus on the decisions that matter.
Property Search
Full-market sourcing aligned with your brief — location, type, budget, returns.
Off-Market Access
Properties not advertised online — accessed through our local network of contacts.
Market & Technical Assessment
Independent valuation, comparable analysis and condition review for every shortlisted property.
CPF Application
We handle the CPF process from start to finish, in your country or in Brazil.
Brazilian Bank Account
Non-resident accounts opened with our partner banks, often without traveling.
Legal Due Diligence
Land registry, urban compliance, debts, easements and community status verified.
Negotiation & Reservation
Aggressive price and terms negotiation, plus reservation contract execution.
Notary & Signing
Notary appointment, deed review, taxes and registry filing — handled in full.
Tax & Utilities Setup
Tax setup, utilities transfer, insurance and community registration.
Additional Services - sold separately
Brazilian Residency →
Investor residency, immigration process, document legalisation, RNM/CRNM registration and application.
Property Management →
Continuous maintenance, booking platforms, rentals, taxes and asset oversight.
Available as add-on services — discussed during your discovery call.
A Fee Structure That Benefits You
We don’t disclose pricing publicly — every project is different and we discuss it transparently in your first call. But the principle behind it is simple, and it’s why our clients trust us.
01
You Pay Us, Not the Seller
Unlike traditional agents, we are paid by the buyer. Our economic interest is 100% with you.
02
Performance-Based component
A meaningful part of our fee is tied to how much we negotiate off the listing price. The harder we push for you, the more we earn — and the more you save.
03
Your Savings = Our Success
If we close at full asking price, both lose. If we secure a strong discount, both win — as in these recent operations. Skin in the game on every transaction, .
“Most agents are paid more for closing faster. We’re paid more for saving you more. That changes everything.”
Lennart Thomas • Founder
Full pricing breakdown is shared transparently during your discovery call.
What International Buyers Ask Us Most
Do I need to fly to Brazil to buy a property?
No. We can complete the entire process remotely with a Power of Attorney (PoA). Many of our clients buy without ever traveling (although we don’t recommend it) — we handle viewings via video, signing through PoA at notary, and key handover when you eventually visit. See the full step-by-step process.
Are discounts on properties common in Brazil?
Yes. Negotiation is a normal part of the Brazilian property market, and discounts are common, particularly for resale properties. Recent FipeZAP data shows that 67% of residential property transactions involved some form of discount in Q1 2026, with an average reduction of around 13% among transactions where a discount was negotiated.
What additional costs should I budget for?
Buyers should generally budget around 6–10% of the purchase price for transaction costs, depending on the property and location. These may include ITBI (typically 2–3%), notary and registry fees, legal and administrative costs, our buyer’s agent fee, and bank-related costs if financing is involved. At Ipanema Real Estate, we provide a clear estimate of the expected costs before you make an offer.
Does buying property qualify me for Brazilian residency?
Yes, in certain circumstances. Foreign buyers who invest at least R$1 million in urban real estate may apply for a Brazilian residence permit through the real estate investor route. The minimum investment is reduced to R$700,000 for properties in Brazil’s North and Northeast regions. The permit is initially valid for four years and can be renewed indefinitely, subject to maintaining the investment and meeting the applicable requirements.
Why pay a buyer’s agent if listing agents already exist?
Because their interests are NOT aligned with yours. Our typical clients save more than our fee through negotiation alone— and gain protection on legal and post-purchase issues that listing agents won’t handle.
What regions do you cover?
Our active areas of expertise are Fortaleza, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Florianopolis — covering the highest-demand areas for international buyers.
How long does the full process take?
From the initial discovery call to receiving the keys, the process typically takes 2–4 months, depending on the property and investment plan. Property sourcing generally takes 2–4 weeks, followed by due diligence, contract review and registration, which can take a further 4–10 weeks. Distressed or off-market deals may move faster, depending on the circumstances.
Let’s Discuss Your Brazilian Property Purchase
A free 45-minute discovery call with our senior team. No pitch, no pressure — just a clear assessment of your situation and the next steps.
Everything You Need to Buy in Brazil
Independent, buyer-side knowledge — from the full purchase process to financing and the real cost of closing.
Property Buying Guide
The differences between regions for rental, value increase and expected rates of revenue.
Property Buying Guide →
Investor's Guide
The differences between regions for rental, value increase and expected rates of revenue.
Investor’s Guide →
Purchase Closing Costs
The differences between regions for rental, value increase and expected rates of revenue.
Purchase Closing Costs →
Property Management
The differences between regions for rental, value increase and expected rates of revenue.
Property Management →