In America, soccer is a sport enjoyed and played by a small but passionate group of fans of the game. Outside of the U.S., however, soccer is more than just a hobby. It’s a way of life. In less than a month, the biggest and most exciting tournament in the sport kicks off in Brazil on June 12th.
The month-long tournament, played in twelve host cities across the country including Rio de Janiero, is expected to draw 300,000 visitors all of whom hope to check out the action in person – and have a place to stay while they’re in the country. With most hotels and traditional accommodations booked solid, many Brazilian homeowners and landlords are hoping to cash in by putting their homes, condos, and apartments up for rent.
According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, realtors in Rio have been flooded with calls from property owners looking to rent their space, often at a premium price, to soccer aficionados. One of these spaces is the home of fashion exec Arif Noor whose three-story glass residence is under contract for $677,000. Another, the home of footballer Ronaldhino, is currently on the market for $15,000 a night on Airbnb.
These record breaking rates, however, are just two examples of a trend of rising rents that has lasted for the better part of five years in Rio. In fact, according to a story by Globe and Mail, the average rental price in the city has increased 144 percent over the past five years and the cost of living in Rio is up 200 percent. Looks like it’s more than FIFA that is cashing in on this international event.
Find an affordable apartment at Rent It Today
Not a soccer fan (or have a desire to live in Brazil) but looking for a place to watch the World Cup and you know, live here in the U.S.? Rent It Today can help! The most comprehensive rental resource online, Rent It Today provides listings of available apartments, condos, houses, and townhomes for rent across the country! To view a list of available rental units, visit www.rentittoday.com.
Super stoked for the #worldcup2014