29/04/2010 Consumers send £30.1 million to Brazil to buy Real Estate The Brazilian real opened stronger against the U.S. dollar on Wednesday 28th April leading investors to predict a central bank rate hike in interest rates to lure foreign investors to Latin America's largest economy. On the BM&FBovespa exchange the real opened at BRL1.7550 to the dollar after closing on Tuesday at BRL1.7670. Higher interest rates in Brazil typically have the effect of attracting heavy foreign inflows from investors seeking better rates of return. Private buyers sent £30.1m to Brazil from the UK in 2009 for property related purposes, up from just £4million in 2004. 2010 has started even more strongly: since 1 January 2010, real estate enquiries have increased 40% on last year. Many people have been seduced by the stunning coastline, friendly people and bargain properties to be had in Brazil in recent years.