RealEstateLicensing

Anyone could pose as a real estate agent in Brazil.

In fact, selling real estate appears to be the third most favorite national pass-time after soccer and Carnival.

Strangers on the street, doormen, friends, friends of friends, friends of relatives, and relatives of friends, in short, anyone would gladly land you a helping hand and charge a commission for services (or lack thereof) provided.

Actually, in Brazil, profession of a real estate broker is strictly regulated by the Civil Code and providing real estate services without being duly registered and licensed is a misdemeanor punishable by incarceration and fine.

This is important information yet it is often of little practical value to those unfortunate individuals who have already fallen victims to pseudo-brokers, incompetent brokers, or outright fraud.

As always, an ounce of prevention is worth many times a pound of cure, especially considering that this pound of cure is very hard to come by in the first place.

Of course, there are recourses that could be invoked by the injured party.

Brokers and agents can be reprimanded and their licenses could be suspended and revoked by CRECI – Regional Councils of Real Estate Professionals; real estate agents are also legally and financially responsible for their actions through civil and criminal legal systems.

Needless to say, obtaining satisfaction or justice could take a very long time as well as be extremely difficult, costly, and stressful.

Information and knowledge are often the best defenses and protectors of consumer interests and rights in any situation.

This is true many times more so in real estate purchase arrangements that take place in Brazil.

Let us look at the professional qualifications, responsibilities, and rights that real estate agents have in Brazil.

Our first step is to learn how to avoid unscrupulous individuals who pose as brokers and who often cause serious financial and emotional damage to their unsuspecting clients.

We will then look at the practical aspects of working with a real estate agent, and, finally, we should explore the steps that can be taken to protect rights and property of a client.

Broker, are you a broker?

In order to become a licensed real estate agent (broker) in Brazil it is necessary to take a training course TTI (Técnico de Transasões Imobiliárias), pass exams on the comprising modules, and, finally, pass the state licensing exam.

A broker can practice his profession only after obtaining TTI diploma, passing the state licensing exam, and being duly registered with the corresponding state CRECI.

At this point the broker obtains a professional ID card and a CRECI registration number.

The real estate broker ID card has to be carried at all times during exercise of profession and ought to be shown to anyone wishing to see it.

CRECI number identifying the professional is mandatory to be listed in all advertising.

In special cases, students of TTI courses are issued intern permits that allow them to work at real estate agencies during their training.

It is fairly simple to identify a real estate professional in Brazil.

Endless trouble (alas, not all of it) could be avoided by taking this simple, yet often overlooked step.

NOTE: If you wish to be certain that you are dealing with a legit real estate professional, ask for ID, note the name and the CRECI number.

Picareta – (literally a con artist) is a slang term often used to designate false brokers.

There are two types of CRECI licenses:

Individual license granted to graduates of TTI course who have passed the state licensing exam.

Note: Holders of bachelor and master level degrees in Real Estate Sciences are also eligible for CRECI inscription without having to take the TTI course. They still have to pass the state licensing exam.

Company licenses are issued to companies that incorporate real estate related activities in the corporate bylaws as well as being headed and managed by an individual CRECI holder (real estate agency).

Note: Company CRECI can be used for advertising and legal purposes, but only individuals holding CRECI licenses can provide real estate services to clients.

Edmund Peter Lahmer -- Licensed CRECI:9004 -- Real Estate Specialist

Robert Prehatney or Jack Marting

Robert@BrazilBrokerage.com or Jack@BrazilBrokerage.com