EcoHouse Brazil Takes Advantage of Prime Opportunity

In 2009, many people had high hopes when the Brazilian government announced their plans for the Minha Casa, Minha Vida (My House, My Life) Brazil programme. This housing initiative promised to address the growing shortage of homes in a country that is expected to see 16 million needed by 2020. Unfortunately, mismanagement and red-tape seemed to doom the project to failure early. 

Fortunately, Anthony Armstrong Emery was paying attention. The businessman and world traveller had already built a reputation for himself, thanks to his real-estate company, EcoHouse Brazil. Mr. Emery has developed EcoHouse Brazil into a company that today is worth close to £150 million. Part of his expertise is the country of Brazil. So when he saw the Minha Casa, Minha Vida (My House, My Life) Brazil programme floundering, he knew it meant a golden opportunity for EcoHouse Brazil.

The first issue he was sure of was that the government was not holding up their end of the deal in terms of financing. He also knew that banks in Brazil are covered in red tape. As such, EcoHouse Brazil has raised up to £50 million since its inception solely from outside investors, mostly from the Asia Pacific region and from Emery’s homeland, the UK.

This financing has given EcoHouse Brazil a substantial edge over the competition. Simply put, while other firms wait for financing to come through so they can finish, or even begin, their projects, EcoHouse Brazil is already off to the races. 

It’s not uncommon for EcoHouse Brazil to take a year to finish construction on a building their competition needs two to three to finish. 

Given their success, EcoHouse Brazil seems poised to continue its growth. Already at 1,000 employees operating out of their five international offices, the real estate company has shown investors 15% returns within a year thanks to Emery’s insight on the Minha Casa, Minha Vida Brazil programme. Those who have invested for three years have seen 20% returns out of EcoHouse Brazil.

With so many issues of poverty facing the country, EcoHouse Brazil is proud to be financing a difference. Thanks to EcoHouse Brazil, many of the 16 million homes will be ready by 2020. Besides affordable housing, families will be able to rely on enhanced security to lend them further comfort. 

As construction continues on the Minha Casa, Minha Vida Brazil programme, EcoHouse Brazil plans to continue looking for opportunities that help the country while providing returns to their investors.

EcoHouse Brazil Supports Local Communities

Ever since 2009, EcoHouse Brazil has been focused on providing social housing to residents of the country, working with the government on its Minha Casa, Minha Vida project. Under the project, low- and middle-income families will obtain access to affordable housing that measures up to high quality construction standards in order to improve the quality of life all around. In addition to its efforts in the housing market, EcoHouse Group has been working on other projects as well, including putting together a Brazilian jiu-jitsu school that they founded in conjunction with popular UFC fighter Ronny Markes.

This school is highly popular; the UFC is extremely well-known in Brazil, with only football coming in as a more popular sport ahead of it. The school founded by EcoHouse Group attracted attention immediately, with as many as 30 local children signing up to take part. The dojo is located in Vila de Ponta Negra, a neighbourhood heavily divided by class. Often, locals are unfamiliar with their surroundings as they strive to stay away from the “bad” or run-down areas of the neighbourhood.

The Brazilian government is attempting to rectify these perceptions with their Minha Casa, Minha Vida programme. In addition to working on several developments to fulfil this need, EcoHouse Brazil is adding other touches to improve the quality of life in their neighbourhoods. One example is the addition of security measures, where gated communities will have access to 24 hour guard towers and an on-site police station. However, the dojo is one way in which they are trying to help the community from the ground up. Children who participate may have previously been involved in drug dealing or experienced extreme trauma in their lives.

Soon, even more areas of Brazil will benefit from the Minha Casa, Minha Vida programme, as additional developments have recently been approved in locations such as Rio de Janeiro. The Mayor of the city has indicated that as many as 2200 families will be able to obtain new housing in the city as the development progresses. These developments continue to present opportunities for low- and middle-income Brazilian families to start climbing the property ladder and improving their lives.

EcoHouse Group operates in one of the world’s most attractive markets

The global crash of 2008 saw a dramatic slowdown in growth in all major economies. As the dust settles, investors are looking for opportunities that offer an attractive rate of return within a stable environment. Financial analysts have long recognized the potential of Brazil. This country offers plenty of scope for growth and is extremely stable compared to many other ‘up and coming’ economies. One difficulty however, is that individuals may be taken advantage of by companies looking to make money out of unwary investors. Anyone looking to enter the Brazilian market is advised to seek a company that’s already well established and experienced in this niche. This is especially the case when it comes to the potentially lucrative Brazilian property market.

One such company that already has a proven track record in Brazil is EcoHouse Group. This property developer demonstrates that with expertise, experience and local knowledge, it is possible to achieve considerable success against the backdrop of the Brazilian property market. The company has a 17 year track record and in 2013 is expected to generate revenue in excess of £250million. The company’s choice of niche within the Brazilian market demonstrates how familiar EcoHouse Group is with this particular market. The company recognises that there is an extremely high demand for good quality social housing and has therefore become heavily involved in the country’s flagship Minha Casa Minha Vida social housing scheme. The fact that EcoHouse Group has been officially authorised to build properties under this scheme clearly demonstrates how well regarded the company is.


Further interest in the Brazilian property market is likely to be triggered over the next couple of years as the nation plays host to the FIFA World Cup as well as the Olympic Games. Recent public protests may cause some potential investors to be wary about the stability of the country. It needs to be remembered however, that the recent disturbances were on a par with what has been witnessed in many European countries over recent years. Brazil is in fact a model of stability compared to the majority of South American countries – and certainly appears to be a lot more stable than most Middle Eastern or even Far Eastern economies. The predictions are that Brazil will shortly see the annual growth rates in the region of 5% that were typical prior to the global crash. 

EcoHouse Brazil warns that the Brazilian market is bound to attract scam companies

Brazil has certainly caught the attention of financial commentators and investors over recent years. EcoHouse Brazil is has plenty of first-hand knowledge of what it takes to succeed in the exciting yet challenging Brazilian property market. As a result, the positive interest in the Brazilian market comes as no surprise to the company. However, the opportunity offered by the Brazilian economy creates certain pitfalls that ordinary investors need to be aware of.

One concern is that the market will attract investment companies who have little or no experience or expertise in relation to this particular market. This is of particular concern when it comes to the property market in Brazil. Without appreciating the intricacies of the Brazilian planning regime, many companies take a look at the booming market and embark upon plans for housing or office developments that have little or no chance of ever being completed.

This is a marked contrast to EcoHouse Brazil – a company that has already successfully completed many construction projects in Brazil. The company has built a solid reputation. Perhaps the best evidence of this is the fact that EcoHouse Brazil is one of the few foreign property development companies chosen to be involved in the Brazilian government’s flagship Minha Casa Minha Vida housing scheme. The English translation of Minha Casa Minha Vida is ‘My House, My Life’. Good quality, affordable housing is constructed according to set specifications. There is a set exit price and the government oversees eligibility for purchase according to certain needs-based criteria. The objective of the scheme is to ensure that enough housing stock is created to meet the needs of ordinary working families in Brazil. This particular developer has already proven that it is capable of delivering under the scheme. The evidence suggests that this is one company that potential investors should definitely pay close attention to.

The problem of ‘scam’ companies taking advantage of unwary investors may become worse in the near future. This is because Brazil will very shortly take centre-stage in the eyes of the world. Within a period of two years, Brazil is set to play host to the FIFA World Cup as well as the Olympic Games. What’s more, given that the Brazilian economy is underpinned by the government’s ‘Plano Real’ strategy, it is likely that that with low inflation and stable interest rates; pre-2008 annual growth rates are expected to return to Brazil very soon.