Paved, Walkable & Organized: Welcome To The "Acceleration Phase"

Hey guys, Mikkel here,

If you were to visit Porto das Dunas today, you would feel something that is hard to capture in photos…

…it feels organized.

Traffic flows smoothly.

Sidewalks connect residential areas to restaurants, hotels, and other amenities.

It’s livable now.

NOT just “visitable”.

This distinction matters. 

When a place becomes efficient and organized, it attracts the kind of people who stabilize neighbourhoods and form communities - professionals, couples, and families who stay for years rather than visit for a week every couple of years. 

These long-term tenants are those who lead markets into the realm of stability, predictability, and profitability. 

Investors like us, who were early and trusted the thesis that infrastructure, tourism, and domestic migration would converge here, are now watching that belief materialize, brick by brick, road by road, storefront by storefront.

…and as a result of our early convictions, many of us are already positioned here by way of rental property ownership. 

Today, there’s no need to imagine what’s coming; you can see it happening in real time.

Entire stretches of road that were once gravel and potholes are now paved and lined with new sidewalks. 

New malls, grocery stores, and retail corridors are all accessible via a new, wide, double-lane highway that feeds directly into them.

The local government didn’t roll out these projects randomly… they’re just doing their part by responding to population demand.

They’re building on and expanding what private capital initiated.

What’s happening in Porto das Dunas is deliberate and coordinated.

…and it’s accelerating.

What’s happening right now is exactly what long-term investors wait years for: a confluence of infrastructure upgrades, municipal alignment, and private investment all moving in the same direction.

When a municipality invests in roads, drainage and sidewalks, it’s doing more than spending money; it’s making a bet on the future. 

It’s a signal to anyone paying attention that population growth is expected, that economic activity is here to stay, and that urbanization isn’t a concept anymore… it’s a commitment.

The city isn’t just permitting private development to meet housing and commercial demand… it’s doing its part alongside them by unlocking new routes to enhance the region.

Plots of land that were once “off the beaten path” are now accessible and, in time, will be developed into homes or services for new residents.  

Every newly paved road reinforces investor confidence and leads to growth. 

Every sidewalk poured isn’t just concrete; it’s increasing the area's livability and desirability. 

You can’t fake infrastructure. 

It takes coordination, funding, and long-term vision. 

Let’s put it plainly: the city is no longer “catching up” to demand…

…it’s racing to meet it.

The streets that once discouraged tourists from wandering too far from the resort corridor are now inviting them to stay longer, spend more, and move deeper into the community.

…and as these streets continue to fill up with more and more restaurants, cafés, gyms, and boutique shops, the character of Porto das Dunas will continue to evolve from “tourist town” to a small, beautiful, year-round livable hub.

That’s when things get really interesting for investors because when livability improves, so does the retention of residents, renters, and businesses. 

And that’s why I call what’s happening now the “acceleration phase”.

Let’s get into it, 

A City That’s Physically Transforming Before Our Eyes

When roads are paved and widened, when sidewalks go in, when the city grid starts connecting retail, residential, services and recreation, that’s when you know you’re past the emerging market phase, and into the acceleration phase. 

Now… with respect to Porto das Dunhas…

Every single secondary and side street that used to be sand and gravel?

They’re being paved right now.

The same goes for sidewalks… they’re being poured, too.

This means that new walkable and drivable routes are being created that will connect to cafés, Beach Park and the coastal promenade. 

A new avenue is being built alongside a water canal, something that will be both practical and beautiful.

And it’s not just a few stretches of asphalt; it’s entire corridors.

Double-wide roads have been completed, improving traffic flow and opening new retail frontage for shops, restaurants, and small businesses.

It’s the kind of roadwork that tells you the local government isn’t guessing at future growth… they’re embracing it strategically.

This is what it looks like as a town progresses from a coastal outpost into a year-round hub.

This is visible proof that the municipality and private sector are moving in sync.

I’m not a fan of governments… but I am a fan of alignment.

Because while governments most often slow things down, when they finally start clearing the road instead of blocking it, that’s when you know a market is entering its next phase. 

That’s what’s happening here.

The paving, the canal, the road widening, the retail zoning… this is the city working with the private sector, not against it.

That kind of cooperation doesn’t happen everywhere, and when it does, it accelerates values in the region exponentially.

Think about it: when public infrastructure and private investment start moving in tandem, every dollar spent does double duty. 

A new road doesn’t just make it easier to get to the beach; it raises the value of every property along its path. 

A single development doesn’t just house residents; it attracts retailers, cafes, and schools that make the area livable year-round. 

It’s the compounding effect of confidence… and it’s exactly how small coastal towns evolve into lasting investment corridors.

For investors like us, it means one thing: that we are positioned to ride the same current that’s moving the entire market forward.

And in case anyone thinks this is “beautification” with no bottom line…

…you don’t pour this much concrete to impress weekend kite surfers…  

When city budgets get allocated to street grids, stormwater management and roads that unlock new retail and residential corridors (as they already are), you can trust the ecosystem is being built to last. 

This is why I continually emphasize that municipal buy-in matters so much. 

The connection between infrastructure and ROI is directly correlated. 

Paved roads lead to higher property values, as they make the area more accessible and desirable.

Sidewalks mean safety and walkability (two of the biggest checkboxes for families and professionals choosing where to live).

The “beach town” narrative is over, and the “micro ocean side city” chapter has begun.

When infrastructure accelerates, there’s always a lag… think a window of 6-12 months before property values catch up to the new reality.

That’s where we are right now.

This is the phase where those who recognize what’s happening will build their positions, while other parties will wait for headlines.

In the coming months, we’ll see even more retail, more cafés, and more construction starting, which ultimately will “pave the way” for more people to live here and work here. 

You can talk about development plans, forecasts, or projections all day long, but until someone pours concrete, it’s just talk.

What we are seeing here is not merely an improvement in aesthetics - we’re seeing a clear declaration of confidence.

Construction Update: The Reserve - On Schedule & Coming to Life

The machines are on-site, the crews are working, and the transformation from blueprint to beachfront reality has begun. 

Electrical infrastructure work is being completed across the site - a foundational stage that often happens out of sight but paves the way (pun intended) for everything that comes after it. 

Simultaneously, land-levelling jobs are wrapping up.

The heavy equipment that has been rolling across the site is finishing the process of turning the land into the perfectly graded canvas that will soon hold the foundations of the building. 

It’s the sort of “boring” preparation work that is required when you are turning plots of land that once were full of overgrown brush and shrubs into a build site that will support literal tonnes and tonnes of steel and other building materials. 

And because of that precision, the timeline remains right on schedule:

• Groundbreaking: January 2026
  

• Construction completion: July 2026
  

• Furniture and appliance installation: July - September 2026
  

• Rentals begin: November 2026

Don’t think of this timeline as a simple timeline… think of it as a countdown to cash-flow activation.

By late 2026, The Reserve will be fully operational; a turnkey, high-yield asset situated in one of Brazil’s most sought-after coastal areas.

If you are one of the families or investors that secured a unit inside The Reserve, the most important part for you is already done.

You’ve already identified and acted on a winning project, and since you were early and secured your position at the best possible price, you can rest assured that your capital is already working for you.

Thanks to the surrounding growth and investment, the value of the Reserve properties has already gone up, and by the time they are “rental market ready,” this will hold true… just to a greater extent.  

Every investor who bought into The Reserve last year is about to benefit from that progress because your project isn’t being built in isolation.

…it’s rising in the middle of one of Brazil’s most aggressive infrastructure overhauls in recent history.  

For investors, this alignment between private construction and public infrastructure is the sweet spot: your asset is being built at the same time the environment around it is being upgraded. 

When a neighbourhood’s “livability” rises in tandem with your build schedule, you aren’t just creating cash flow… you’re reaping the benefits of value appreciation… all before the physical building itself has even gone up…

That’s the position you’re in right now.

Yes, again, The Reserve is on track to be completed according to the original plans.

…but equally importantly, the entire ecosystem around it is on a fast track, too. 

In one year, these units will be fully complete, and you’ll be looking at a finished, rental-ready property in a region where the fundamentals are getting stronger with every passing day and are exceeding growth expectations.

To all of you who are awaiting delivery of your unit at the Reserve, congratulations are in order… you’ve positioned yourself for serious gains in the years and decades to come.

Deal of the Week: Porto Residence - Capture The Acceleration Wave

It’s not one big event that changes everything; it’s a collection of small, but powerful signals that stack and compound…

…and Porto das Dunas is stacking them consistently. 

For investors who want to benefit from the new wave of growth, this week's (familiar) Deal of the Week will be of massive interest to you. 

It’s a fully under-construction project located right in the middle of the growth zone (a walkable distance from Beach Park, the largest water park in South America) and the new commercial corridor that is coming to life thanks to the growth-unlocking infrastructure being poured and paved right now. 

Every part of this development has been designed for the people who keep the local economy running: engineers, hospitality staff, restaurant owners, tour operators, and professionals who want to live close to work and the beach.

People who want comfortable homes, close to work, that will serve them now and for years to come. 

Every unit features an open-plan kitchen, living, and dining area, as well as granite countertops and built-in cabinetry, all designed to support efficient modern living for residents. 

The building itself includes a rooftop lounge with panoramic views, a swimming pool, and beautifully designed communal areas.

These are the types of amenities typically reserved for luxury projects, not mid-priced rental properties; however, given the economic rise in the area, we fully expect these amenities to be major drivers of decisions for renters in the region for years to come. 

We opted to invest in these amenities, which isn’t something to be taken lightly by the way - we could have opted to include more units in the architectural masterplan; however, we felt this was the savvy decision for all investors in the project from a cash-flow earning perspective. 

The math is straightforward:

More jobs = more people.

More people = more rentals.

More rentals = stronger, steadier yields.

So, here is the project that we have that is set to serve the domestic long-term rental market inside Porto das Dunas: 

Project Name: Porto Residence
Location: Porto das Dunas, Ceará, Brazil
Type: 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Unit Size: 48sqm / 524sqft
Price: $97,000 cash or $110,000 financed (25% down, balance paid over 24 months)

Think about that for a second.

Under $100,000 for a brand-new, income-generating property, steps from the beach, in a market that’s visibly maturing and urbanizing in real time.

And for those who prefer to conserve cash, the financing option is one of the most flexible you’ll ever see: 25% down, with the balance spread out in quarterly payments.

That means you can participate in the growth now  while the infrastructure is being built and the market is maturing… without tying up your entire investment capital upfront.

You’re essentially using time as leverage.

While you’re paying down the balance, the city around you is compounding in value.

By the time Porto Residence is completed, you’ll be holding an appreciating, cash-flow-ready asset in a neighbourhood that’s physically and economically unrecognizable from just a few years ago.

While you’re paying the builder, the paving continues, the corridor flowers, the mall deepens its tenant mix; and by the time you stabilize the unit, the story around you is louder and, often, pricier.

… I get it - if you’re an investor new to exploring international markets, that number may not even compute.

If you’ve spent your life anchored to the pricing realities of North America, your frame of reference is skewed. 

You’re used to markets that are already mature.

You’re used to markets where the upside has long been extracted. 

What you’re seeing here is what those markets looked like before they boomed; it’s the rare moment when fundamentals are surging, but perception hasn’t caught up yet. 

This is as close to perfect timing as you’ll ever get in a coastal market like this.

Infrastructure is rising, the population is growing, and businesses and capital are flooding into the region.

…yet, the entry prices are still far behind what the actual market value should be. 

That combination doesn’t last.

It’s what every investor should be looking for, regardless of their experience level or financial ability; the window of time when growth is proven but not yet priced in.

Right now, you can still get in at under six figures… but I need to be clear when I say, entry points like this won’t last much longer, be it here at the Porto Residence, or across one of our other projects. 

We’ve already gone from 10 available units down to 4 in the last two weeks.

When those are gone, the site is full. 

No more expansion.

For anyone still on the fence, this is your signal to stop watching and start acting.

Once the perception catches up to reality and once the infrastructure headlines start reaching the mainstream, this place will no longer be the “hidden gem” of Brazil’s northeast.

It will just be a gem.

…an “expensive” gem, at that. 

When this project first launched in July 2024, all 20 original units sold out… WITHIN HOURS.

Demand from the Expat Money community and other early investors was strong because the fundamentals were so obvious.

Literally - all 20 units sold out in a matter of hours during a special presentation that I personally hosted alongside my partner, Michael Kruger.

(For those of you who are new here, Michael is the man on the other end of the line when you send an email to [email protected] to inquire about securing one of the units inside this project).

Again… two weeks back, when I reintroduced the Porto Residence… I had ten units available.

Now, four remain… with ZERO  chance of future phases. 

…. but “Mikkel, why the urgency?” 

BECAUSE THERE ARE JUST FOUR UNITS AND THERE IS NO MORE LAND.

The only reason we’re even having this conversation is that, during the final site assessment, the architect found a way to place one last block on the same lot with zero compromise.

Ten additional units.

Exact same build site.

Same quality and same specs as the first 20 units we sold exclusively to members of the Brazil Beachfront and Expat Money communities. 

Step back and see the bigger picture again; the more infrastructure the municipality delivers, the more “ordinary” life becomes here…

…and that is what makes owning here from this point forward an extraordinary play.

If you are newer to this, you could be thinking, “but shouldn’t I wait for one more big headline?” 

This (wrong) instinct is how people miss cycles. 

Big headlines tell you what has already been underwritten.

Early signals indicate where conviction is forming and where capital and confidence are converging.

[email protected] to be one of the savvy few to tap into this incredible market via a position in the Porto Residence project.

What Growth, Commitment, and Timing Mean For Investors Like Us:

Let’s pull back for a second and look at this through the investor lens.

When we talk about infrastructure, we’re really talking about support and velocity.

Velocity of population growth.

Velocity of business formation.

Velocity of capital appreciation.

Every time a road is paved or a sidewalk connects another neighbourhood, it shortens the distance both literally and psychologically between where people live and where they want (or need) to be.

That’s why infrastructure improvements precede price jumps in the surrounding real estate markets. 

They reduce friction. 

They expand reach. 

They change the entire map of a region.

The more connected a place feels, the more it’s perceived as “central.”

…and as perceived centrality rises, so do real estate values.

The timing is ideal here: the fundamentals are rock-solid, but the pricing hasn’t yet caught up.

The risk has been absorbed by the early movers (who are also the biggest winners… the reward for seeing the vision), but the recognition wave hasn’t fully hit.

That’s where returns live.

When you see this many converging signals: municipal support, retail validation, and accelerating construction… you’re no longer in the very “early” phase.

You’re in the acceleration phase.

…and those who already have their capital positioned start benefiting from the compounding effects of progress.

The gap between the reality on the ground and the perception in the marketplace is where serious returns are made.

Markets never move in a straight line, but momentum feeds momentum until something heavy applies the brake. 

In Porto das Dunas, the opposite is happening; the public sector is stepping on the throttle at the exact time the private sector has already built speed. 

This alignment is rare.

When government and market move in the same direction, your job is not to over-intellectualize the opportunity; your job is to pick the right product within that rising tide and execute.

Here in Porto das Dunas, we don’t need to point to projections; we can point to pavement.

Every paved road, every new shop, every finished sidewalk is a small confirmation that the thesis we’ve been building on for years was right.

The growth is visible. The momentum is real. The time to strike is right now.

This is your window.

To walk through it, all you need to do in this moment is send Michael an email at [email protected].

Once you spend a few minutes on the phone with Michael, everything will become even more obvious, and you’ll know exactly what to do.  

Don’t wait.

Reach out to Michael at [email protected] and take the first step toward offshore ownership in a market that is proving so many members from our community correct already.

Speak soon,
Mikkel