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The Weight of High Condominium Fees Already Compromises Home Purchase by the Middle Class and Starts to Directly Impact Sector Liquidity
The high condominium fee has become one of the biggest obstacles for those looking to buy or rent properties in Brazil. Increasingly, middle-class families are stating that even if they can get financing approved, they cannot afford the monthly maintenance expenses.
According to a survey by the startup UCDO, in 2024 the average condominium fee in Brazil was R$ 634.24, which represented approximately 45% of the minimum wage at that time. This rising cost, which has outpaced inflation for years, is already stalling property sales and deterring potential buyers, especially from the middle class.
Why Are High Condominium Fees Rising So Much?
Condominium costs are driven by mandatory expenses such as payroll, electricity, water, building maintenance, and emergency repairs.
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Condominiums with complete infrastructure, including gyms, pools, and leisure areas, naturally generate higher fees.
Experts highlight, however, that the quality of condominium management makes a difference.
Poorly prepared budgets, contracts without renegotiation, and mismanagement of defaults lead to sharp and poorly transparent increases.
This undermines residents’ trust and further increases the perception that the high condominium fee is unsustainable.
Impact of High Condominium Fees on Property Buying and Selling
Just as there is already a gap between property prices and the population’s income, the disparity between buyers’ income profiles and the monthly cost of the condominium is also growing.
This imbalance directly impacts property liquidity.
In practice, apartments in high condominium buildings stay on the market longer, as buyers realize that the math does not add up.
For rentals, prices need to be reduced to offset the fee, and in sales, the property tends to depreciate because the buyer incorporates this additional cost into their decision.
The high condominium fee has become an obstacle as significant as — or even greater than — the property’s price itself.
Middle Class Feels the Burden of High Condominium Fees More
For middle-income families, the condominium fee can represent almost half of the budget allocated to housing, making deals that initially seemed affordable unfeasible.
Many buyers report: “I can finance the apartment, but I can’t pay the condominium every month.”
This new factor has changed the decision-making process.
Previously, the focus was on square meters and the value of the financing installment.
Today, the condominium fee has become a crucial part of the equation, being determinative for closing or not closing a deal.
Alternatives and Trends in the Market
In light of this scenario, more efficient projects, focusing on maintenance efficiency and smart management, are gaining prominence.
Developers are beginning to design buildings with fewer leisure areas and reduced expenses, precisely to make the units more attractive in the long run.
Real estate agents are also advising sellers to adjust their expectations.
Properties in high condominium buildings tend to take longer to sell, require discounts, and lose competitiveness compared to similar alternatives in developments with balanced fees.
Awareness of the financial sustainability of living in a condominium has become crucial to align expectations between buyers and sellers.
The high condominium fee has ceased to be a detail and has become one of the main obstacles to buying, selling, and renting properties in Brazil.
This rising cost distances the middle class and reduces the liquidity of developments, making condominium management a key element for the future of the sector.
And you? Do you think the high condominium fee is the new villain of the real estate market or do you believe that the services offered justify the price? Have you given up on buying or renting a property because of the fee? Leave your opinion in the comments — we want to hear from those who live this experience.
Realmente os custos para manter em ordem toda a parte técnica, burocrática, e manutenção de um local onde tem condomínio.E muito dispendiosa,Só vejo um jeito, aprimorar cada vez mais a eficiência administrativa o que não é fácil, pois a uma diversidade de opiniões entre moradores (condôminos ) e algumas despesas que sofrem reajustes desequilibram muito os custos. Infelizmente acho que pro futuro terá que passar por uma reformulação profunda caso contrário o negócio imobiliário ficara totalmente comprometido por conta dos custos de condomínio.
A maioria dos condomínio em prédios só tem o zelador, ainda assim, cobram um verdadeiro aluguel de uma casa para cada proprietário. Morar em condomínio, só se for necessidade.
ISSO É ROUBO
Já deixamos de comprar imóvel, devido altos valor inicial projetado para o condomínio. Optamos por outro, mas mesmo assim o valor foi muito superior ao projeto na venda. Pode ser prática das construtoras para vender. Atenção ao detalhe !