How difficult is the property purchase process in Argentina?

Foreigners can purchase property without restrictions. A CDI (tax ID) number must be obtained from the Government before buying. Also, an Argentinean representative must be appointed by nonresidents to pay the property tax for them.

Maria Reynolds of Reynolds Propiedades & Relocation stated that "middle and high-end real estate in Argentina (both for locals or foreigners) is always sold in US$ cash". This is because of the unstable Argentine Peso. Middle and high-end properties, she said, "cover most of the northern suburbs, and most of the areas within the downtown that foreigners invest in, farms, and any tourism-related areas in the interior of the country".

Bringing in US dollars is not free. Withdrawal of money from the bank is taxed. Moreover, one can only withdraw in Argentine Pesos. A buyer will have to buy US dollars with the Argentine Peso just to convert the currency back to what is accepted in real estate transactions. It is possible to lose around 0.8%-1% of the money value when going through the official system, according to Mrs. Reynolds. If one opts to go through a private broker, she says it is usual to pay around 2%.

Once the purchase price of the property has been agreed on, the buyer is expected to give a "boleto" or a down payment, usually around 30% of the purchase price. This is held in trust by the real estate agent. The "boleto" acts as a security. If the buyer pulls out of the transaction, the down payment cannot be refunded. If the seller backs out, the seller will have to pay the buyer double the amount of the "boleto".

The "escritura" is the date of the closing of the transaction. All payments are settled and the official transfer deed is signed.

Taxes involved in the purchase of property are imposed by local authorities such as the provincial and municipal governments. Each of the 23 provinces and the Government of Buenos Aires City has the right to promulgate its own tax laws directed at certain economic activities within its jurisdiction. This explains the varied ranges of tax rates in the purchase of a property.

The purchase process lasts one and two months. The only documentation required by a foreigner is a Tax ID which is obtained from a Notary Public (Escribano) who, in turn, will require a power of attorney to do so.

In recent years many foreign investors have acquired considerable areas of farming and live-stock raising land, as well as buildings in urban areas in Buenos Aires. Most real estate is held as freehold property; long-term leaseholds are uncommon.

The whole process of registering a property takes about 55 days to complete.

Property Buying and Selling Taxes and Costs

Footnotes to Transaction Costs Table

The round trip transaction costs include all costs of buying and then re-selling a property - lawyers' fees, notaries' fees, registration fees, taxes, agents' fees, etc.

Currency:
Exchange rate as of 18 July 2024: 1 US Dollar = 924.2585 Argentine Peso. Property value is US$250,000 approximately ARS231,064,625 (231,064,625 Argentine Peso) 

Location:
Buenos Aires City
Real Estate Agent's fee:
Real estate agent's fee is around 3% to 4%, plus 21% Value Added Tax (VAT), in downtown Buenos Aires or Centro. In the suburbs of Buenos Aires, the real estate agent's fee is 4%, plus 21% VAT, evenly split between buyer and seller.

Notary Fees:
The deed of conveyance must be executed before a notary public (escribano). The notary must inform the party if there is any problem with the property's title. Notary fees are negotiable, typically between 1% and 1.50%.

Transfer Tax:
Transfer Tax is paid only if the transaction is not subject to capital gains tax (i.e. if both buyer and seller are companies). Transfer Tax is 1.80% of property value, paid both by the seller and the buyer.

Value Added Tax:
For new buildings, VAT is payable at the rate of 10.5% for residential buildings and 21% for other buildings. The sale of land is not subject to VAT.