Miami has found its footing as a truly international city, attracting buyers and investors from literally around the globe, including heavy interest from China, where an economic crisis is convincing residents to take their money elsewhere. However, despite its now broad, foreign appeal, outside interest in Miami is still primarily originating from South America.

In a report released in late August, the Miami Association of Realtors revealed which populations were most frequently visiting Miamire.com in June 2015. Of the top 10, four were South American countries (Brazil [1], Colombia [2], Venezuela [4] and Argentina [7]). Europe was the second most represented with three countries (not including Russia).

Brazilians Spend More

The most significant source of interested, online buyers for the South Florida metro, as the association confirmed, was Brazil, which is unsurprising, as it was the same story in June 2014.

Throughout all of 2014, Brazilian buyers, who tend to be upper-middle-class families, represented 11 percent of South Florida’s total transactions, according to a report from the National Association of Realtors. In terms of transactions, Brazilian buyers and investors had the third most in Miami and Broward Counties, trailing only Venezuela (16 percent) and Argentina (12 percent).

As MIAMI’s report stated: “Brazilians spend the most on South Florida properties among foreign consumers, paying an average of $495,000. On average, Miami’s international buyers paid $444,000 per purchase, compared to $245,000 statewide.”

No. 1? No Surprise

Christopher Zoller, the association’s 2015 residential president, hardly seemed surprised to see Brazil topping the list, as he said that Miami had long been a destination for Brazilians.

“Brazil perennially ranks among the top international markets purchasing Miami real estate,” he said. “Brazilians not only love Miami’s shopping, restaurants, and beaches, but they love Miami’s diversity and are totally at home here. Miami, which has thousands of Brazilians living here, is America’s most international city with 51 percent of residents born in foreign countries.”