Many U.S. investors continue to have concerns regarding the attractiveness of Latin American property markets, with worries about transparency, economic growth, health and safety. GDP growth projections throughout the region vary. According to the International Monetary Fund, Latin America is forecast to see GDP contract this year, with a growth projection of –0.3 percent in 2016, rebounding to 1.6 percent in 2017. But that projection includes forecast GDP growth this year of 2.6 percent in Mexico compared with –3.5 percent in Brazil.

But not every U.S. investor is ignoring the region. Brazil-based Hemisfério Sul Investimentos has raised equity from several U.S. pension funds to invest in Brazilian shopping centers, warehouses, office buildings and residential developments. The $19.9 billion City and County of San Francisco Employees’ Retirement System has committed $50 million to HSI Real Estate V, and the $2.2 billion City of Phoenix Employees’ Retirement System re