Brazilian Real Estate Agent in Los Angeles

Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions of your life. Buying one in a second language, in a country whose rules you did not grow up with, is harder still — and it can feel lonely when no one around you quite understands where you came from.

You deserve someone on your side who does. I am Mariness Chata, and I have spent my life between two homes: Rio Grande do Sul, where I was born, and Santa Clarita, California, where I have lived and worked for 38 years. Falamos Português!

My story, in short

I came to the United States at 24 for what was supposed to be one year of English immersion. That year became a life: I met my husband here, we just celebrated our 37th anniversary, and we raised our wonderful daughter here. Before real estate, I was a teacher in Brazil — and honestly, I still am one at heart. I just traded a classroom for living rooms and kitchens.

I have been helping people find homes since 1994 — in Los Angeles, and in Santa Clarita and the neighboring cities, for Brazilian buyers and sellers across the region. I have guided clients through every kind of market: the booms, the downturns, the frenzies, and everything in between.

Why more Brazilians are making a home in Los Angeles

Brazilians have been coming to the United States in growing numbers for decades. In the 2020 Census, 524,382 people identified as Brazilian, alone or in combination with another group. The Census Bureau's American Community Survey has put the community higher since — about 624,000 in its 2024 survey — and the 2025 ACS estimates, released October 29, 2026, continue that series. Unofficial estimates, including Brazil's own government figures, put the true community above 1 million, since many Brazilians are undercounted in US surveys. And the Los Angeles area is one of the places they choose most.

Established Brazilian communities cluster in neighborhoods like Culver City and Palms, and Brazilians live across the region, from the Westside to the Valley. Moving here does not mean leaving your culture behind. It means finding the right neighborhood, the right home, and the right people to help you build a life that honors where you came from.

How buying a home here differs from buying in Brazil

If you bought property in Brazil, the American process will surprise you — in good ways, once someone explains it:

  • One shared marketplace. In Brazil, there is no single system listing every home for sale, and you usually work only with the listing agent or their office. In the USA, nearly every listed home sits in one shared database called the MLS (Multiple Listing Service). That means you get to choose the agent who represents you — and that agent can show you any home on the market, not just their own listings.
  • Your own representation. Your buyer's agent works for your interests: price, terms, inspections, and negotiation. You are not on your own against the seller's side.
  • Financing works differently. Down payments, credit history, and loan types follow American rules — including options that many Brazilian buyers do not know exist until someone walks them through it. I work with trusted local lenders and explain every option in Portuguese.
  • Contracts in English, explained in Portuguese. A purchase contract is long, technical, and binding. Even native English speakers find it confusing. I go through it with you in Portuguese, line by line, so you sign with confidence — never with doubt.
  • Your money, across two currencies. Selling a Los Angeles-area home means proceeds in dollars, which convert into several reais back home. Whether you are buying here, selling here, or both, I help you think through the timing and the math in both currencies.

Where in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has a neighborhood for every kind of life — from the Westside to the Valley, from condos near the action to quiet family streets. I help Brazilian buyers and sellers across the Los Angeles area, and I know the neighborhoods where Brazilian families already feel at home.

And if you want more space for your money, many of my clients fall in love with the Santa Clarita Valley: Valencia, Stevenson Ranch, Newhall, Canyon Country, Saugus, and Castaic. Family neighborhoods, good schools, parks, space to breathe — and more home for your money than on Los Angeles' west side — while staying close to everything LA offers.

How I work

My mission is simple: to serve people with honesty, wisdom, and compassion, helping them build wealth through real estate while making one of life's biggest decisions with confidence and peace of mind. I measure success not only by the homes I sell, but by the lives I improve and the trust I earn.

That means: honest advice even when it is not what you hoped to hear, patience with every question, and guidance in Portuguese from the first conversation to the keys in your hand. I am never too busy for you.

Frequently asked questions

Can a Brazilian citizen buy property in the United States?

Yes. You do not need to be a US citizen or resident to buy property here. The details depend on your situation — financing, taxes, and how you hold title — and I walk you through each one with professionals I trust.

Do I need to speak English to buy a home here?

No. I speak Portuguese, and I learned Spanish working with clients. Every step — tours, offers, inspections, contracts — can be explained to you in Portuguese.

Can I get a mortgage as a Brazilian buyer?

Often, yes. Options depend on your visa status, income documentation, and down payment. I connect you with lenders experienced with international buyers and translate the terms.

What is the MLS?

The Multiple Listing Service is the shared database of nearly all homes listed for sale in the USA. Your agent uses it to find every home that fits you — not just one office's listings.

Should I buy in Los Angeles or in Santa Clarita?

It depends on the life you want. Los Angeles puts you in the middle of the city, its culture, and its Brazilian community. Santa Clarita gives you more space, schools, and a quieter family community, still within reach of Los Angeles. I help clients in both, and I will give you an honest comparison before you decide.

Let's talk

Whether you are buying your first home, selling a home you own here, or just starting to explore — this year or in five years — I would love to hear from you.

Mariness Chata, Broker Associate | RE/MAX of Santa Clarita
Phone: (661) 317-3332 | WhatsApp: https://wa.me/16613173332
Website: https://www.marinesschata.com/
Email: RealtorMariness@gmail.com
DRE# 01082675
Free home valuation: ask me, or start at MarinessChata.com.