Hi its Funtime looking to buy apt/house in B.A. does any one know about mortgages or owner financing !!! Have seen quite a few from Puerto Madero(very much$$$), to a 2 bedroom penthouse(top floor) off Maipu for 29,500 u.s. or 17,500 u.s. in the Congresso seciton!! Any help would be appreciated will be in B.A. first week of March 2004!!! thanks funtime look for my reports!!

Funtime, IMO now is not a very good time to buy in Argentina. Prices have risen dramatically in the past year, to almost the level of the precrisis...I predict there will be other crises that will drive down prices, atleast over the short term....

If you are determined to buy, remember the old saying about the 3 most important considerations....location, location, location....in Buenos Aires that means look first in Recoleta, Palermo and Belgrano.....Puerto Madero is a very new area, not as many services such as grocery stores, subways, busses, etc., but may eventually be a good area....If the area interests you, ground was just broken for a new building called Le Parc...the le Parc in Palermo is the most prestigious address in town....this building is being developed by the same people...and prices are preconstruction now, ranging from 85k and up........Each of these zonas is large enough that they are subdivided into neighborhoods.

In Recoleta, look in the rectangle between Libertador and Arenales and Cerrito and Callao or anywhere along Alvear or Quintana....Expect to pay 50k for a large studio...prices go up along with size....

This part of Recoleta is actually considered more desireable than in the Village of REcoleta, which is geared more to tourists.

In Palermo, Botanica (near the zoo) is a nice area, as is the area near the American embassy (about Sinclair and Segui. I looked at an apartment in a new building called Cervino Nuevo, on Cervino near the Easy store....65k for a one bedroom, 115k for a two bedroom on a high floor, affording a good view...I also looked at three, two bedroom apartments to rent, two in Botanica along REp. de INdia and one on Segui. All of the buildings had modern elevators (something of a rarity here), and security (a necessity for me)...all were air conditioned, not common here.....prices ranged from 1200pesos to 2000 pesos. One bedrooms go for 700 to 1100.

Another good area is Alto Palermo....try alonng Charcas, near Bulnes or Vidt or Beruiti, near Alto Palermo Mall.

In Belgrano, Las Canitas is very nice...a trendy area...try along Chenault ave.....

There are a couple of other things you should know....most apartments here do not come equipped with things we consider normal in the US.....so if you want these luxuries you will have to buy them yourself.....and your apt may or may not have the proper plumbing or wiring.....diswashers are rare....vent fans in bathrooms are equally rare, expect to buy your own light fixtures ( a big surprise to me!), and your own air conditioner (central heat and air are very rare heere)...the norm in newere buildings is radiant heat in the floors and window unit air conditioners (por split is the way to go....)

I would look in a new or almost new building ..older buildings frequently have plumbing problems....your nieghbor´s plumbing leak can easily become your problem.....

Check the expenses for the building....they can vary considerably....

ps...I would not buy in Congresso...Maipu likewise....not so good.....

two more ok areas....Retiro from Juncal to Libertador is another decent area.....also, check, Caballito if you want to live among the middle class in relative safety....

the Classifieds of LA Nacion will give you a good idea of prices for better properties....Clarin is not as good for extranjeros looking for investment property.....

THANKS FOR THE INFO GUYS !!!I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.. BUT I JUST LOVE B.A. WILL BE THERE FIRST WEEK IN MARCH AGAIN (5 TIMES IN 14 MONTHS LOL ) THANKS TO ALL !!

I have purchased two apartments that I will rent out. I have started a property management and consulting business where I will assist Americans/Europeans purchase property here. I know the best realtors, lawyers, consultants, etc. My company also manages properties for foreigners that are buying real estate as an investment. We will actively market your property, do the check-in/check-out and handle the collections for you.

I have the experience and reputation to assist you with your property. I have also started listing properties for sale and long term leases on my site. I hope to be one of the largest property management companies of foreign owned apartments/homes in a few years.

Take a look at my website:

www.apartmentsba.com