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The studio apartments show a project estimated at R$ 700,000 with smart meters, structural masonry, and build to rent to generate R$ 12,000 per month in rentals. The builder details costs, approvals, finishing, electrical, and consumption management before transforming compact units into recurring real estate income in Brazil.
The studio apartments presented by a builder in a construction video caught attention for the financial model: a compact building of R$ 700,000, with smart meters, structural masonry, and a build to rent strategy, designed to generate about R$ 12,000 per month in rentals. The project was shown during a technical tour, with a breakdown of costs and execution details.
According to information displayed by the Thiago Corrêa channel on YouTube, the proposal combines construction for leasing, smart meters, structural masonry, compact units, and individualized consumption control. The builder describes the model as a recurring income strategy, using the build to rent concept to transform the property into a long-term rental portfolio.
Studio apartment building exposes costs that are normally hidden
The most striking point of the video is the breakdown of the construction costs. Instead of showing only the final result, the builder details expenses with the gate, fences, walls, interlocking, projects, glass, frames, stones, electrical, plumbing, and finishes.
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This type of transparency helps to show that the cost of a studio apartment building goes far beyond masonry. Even in a compact project, smaller expenses quickly add up and can change the perception of those who imagine that building to rent is simple or cheap.
Estimated investment reaches R$ 700,000
According to the builder, the total investment of the project, considering land, material, and labor, is around R$ 700,000. This amount includes not only the physical structure of the units but also previous and complementary stages, such as project approval, infrastructure, and finishes.
The estimate shows that the model requires significant capital before generating revenue. The studio apartments may seem small individually, but the complete building houses various mandatory systems, such as electrical, plumbing, gas, access, security, stairs, coatings, and regulations.
Expected monthly return is around R$ 12,000 per month
The expectation presented is that the building will produce about R$ 12,000 per month in cash flow when intended for rental. In the builder’s view, this result could represent a return above 1.5% per month, with the possibility of being above 1% net.
The R$ 12,000 per month depends on occupancy, actual rental price, maintenance, taxes, vacancy, and management. The return of the studio apartments should not be read as an automatic guarantee but as a projection by the project manager based on the rental model.
Although the number is attractive, it depends on occupancy, actual rental price, maintenance, taxes, vacancy, and management. The return of the studio apartments should not be read as an automatic guarantee, but as a projection by the project manager based on the rental model.
Smart meters promise individual consumption control
A distinguishing feature of the project is the use of smart meters and individualized systems. The construction provides for unit control for energy, water, and gas, with equipment connected to the internet or monitored by an app, according to the builder’s explanation.
In practice, smart meters can help manage the studio apartments, reducing conflicts between landlord and tenants about consumption. When each unit has its own reading, the administrator can charge more accurately and monitor possible variations outside the standard.
Structural masonry reduces stages and changes the finish
The construction uses structural masonry, a model where the blocks are part of the building’s support. The builder also explains that some finishes were applied directly onto the blocks, without traditional plaster, both in internal and external areas.
This choice can reduce steps but requires technical planning and correct execution. In studio apartment constructions, structural masonry directly influences cost, timeline, and future maintenance, especially when the goal is to rent out the units.
Detailed costs show where the money was applied
Among the mentioned values, there are about R$ 18 thousand in metalwork, R$ 7 thousand in walls, approximately R$ 17 thousand in interlocking, about R$ 27 thousand in textured coating, R$ 23.7 thousand in projects, and approximately R$ 18 thousand in glass.
Other mentioned expenses include about R$ 38 thousand in frames, R$ 26 thousand in stones, R$ 30 thousand in flooring and coating, R$ 25 thousand in plumbing, R$ 56 thousand in electrical, R$ 18 thousand in demolition, R$ 20 thousand in foundation, R$ 62 thousand in masonry, and R$ 36 thousand in slab. The sum reinforces how a small construction can concentrate many expense fronts.
Build to rent appears as a recurring income strategy
The model mentioned by the builder is build to rent, an expression used for constructions made with the intention of renting. Instead of building to sell each unit, the idea is to keep the building as a cash-generating asset.
In build to rent, the studio apartments function as small income units within the same property. The goal is not just to increase the property’s value, but to create a constant monthly income, something many investors associate with the idea of real estate retirement.
Builder also mentions investor capital
During the explanation, the builder mentions the use of OPM, an acronym for other people’s money. The logic described involves raising capital from investors in real estate projects and then using part of the profits to build personal assets aimed at leasing.
This point shows that the construction is not just a building, but part of a business strategy. The studio apartment building appears as a result of a vision of incorporation, reinvestment, and creation of a rental portfolio.
Model requires care with project and regularization
The builder highlights that the building has approved projects, including electrical and fire department projects. He also mentions inspection, extinguishers, meters, and solutions for individualized gas, which shows the importance of regularization before leasing.
This care is essential because properties aimed at leasing need to function well in daily use. Failures in installations, access, measurement, or safety can generate recurring costs and reduce the profitability of the business.
Do you think investing in studio apartments for rent is a good way to build a real estate retirement in Brazil, or do the costs and risks of construction still make this model difficult for most people? Leave your opinion in the comments.
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