[JMBroad]

Interesting. I assume you had a bad experience with an overseas agent then?

How would you find a reputable agent in Brazil if you live in Europe? What is the sure-fire fool-proof assurance that I have that the agent I'm dealing with won't do what someone else mentioned on another thread... just vanish? What defines a reputable agency in Brasil? Do they all operate to the same standards as the leading overseas agencies? If not, why work with them?

An agency who sells large amounts of property has significantly more pull than an individual investor.

If a reputable international agency with proven track record talks to a developer in Brazil (or any other country for that matter) and requests copies of all legal documents proving that the development is secure, they are much more likely to get it than Mr Smith who is thinking of buying one unit. Not only that but they will be able to analyze the documents when they receive them and know if those documents are applicable or not.

Ultimately you need to see what you are going to get for your money and the level of service you will be given, not only before the sale, but during and most importantly, after the sale.