Buying, selling, renting out or inheriting property in Argentina involves notaries, registries, tax rules and currency regulations that work very differently from the United States. LIMERES helps local and foreign clients, including buyers and sellers who live abroad, with residential and commercial real estate in Buenos Aires and across Argentina, in English.
Free initial consultation for real estate matters. Call or WhatsApp +1 (925) 791-8555 or +54 9 11 4162-0021, or send us a message.
How we help with real estate in Argentina
Due diligence and title search
Before you sign anything, we review the property so there are no surprises that could block a later sale or lead to a lawsuit:
- Ownership history and clean, marketable title.
- Mortgages, liens, attachments (embargos), usufructs and easements.
- The building’s condominium rules (reglamento de copropiedad).
- Zoning and permitted land use.
- Outstanding property tax and utility debts.
Purchase and sale agreements: boleto and escritura
We draft, review and negotiate the reservation agreement and the purchase agreement (boleto de compraventa), and we work with the notary (escribano) on the deed (escritura). That includes payment and currency clauses, possession and delivery terms, and penalty clauses, so that your money and your ownership rights are protected under the Civil and Commercial Code.
Buying or selling from abroad
Foreign buyers and sellers face extra legal, tax and banking steps. We help with:
- The Argentine tax ID (CUIT or CDI) most foreign buyers need.
- Rules on foreign ownership, and Central Bank and currency regulations.
- Moving funds into and out of Argentina.
- Special powers of attorney, apostilles and remote signing, so you can close without traveling.
- Deciding whether to buy as an individual or through a company.
Holding property through a company or trust
For investors, we set up companies to hold real estate, draft shareholder agreements, and structure rental properties, trusts (fideicomisos) and other investment vehicles.
Leases
We draft and enforce residential, commercial and temporary or tourist leases, including rent adjustment clauses, and we handle evictions and tenant compliance issues for landlords and tenants.
Real estate taxes
We advise on the taxes that can apply when you buy, own, rent out or sell property, such as stamp tax, income tax on the sale (depending on when and how the property was acquired), Personal Assets Tax and tax on rental income. If you are a U.S. taxpayer, we recommend coordinating with a U.S. CPA.
Fixing title and registry problems
Many properties have legal irregularities. We handle title corrections, boundary issues, building permits, subdivisions and unifications, adverse possession (usucapión) and registry updates.
Development and construction
For developers and builders, we structure land acquisitions, draft construction contracts and joint venture agreements, and help with permits and zoning compliance.
Real estate disputes
If a conflict arises, we handle breach of contract claims, possession and boundary disputes, evictions, construction defect claims and condominium conflicts, through negotiation, mediation or the courts.
Inherited property
Property often changes hands through a succession. We help foreign heirs through the Argentine inheritance process, the partition of assets, registry updates and the sale of inherited property.
Farmland and rural property
Buying, leasing or inheriting a farm or ranch raises separate issues, including the limits on foreign ownership of rural land under the Rural Lands Law (Law 26,737), which apply again after Argentina’s Supreme Court provisionally suspended their repeal on October 9, 2026. See our farmland and rural property page.
Frequently asked questions
Can a U.S. citizen buy property in Argentina?
Generally, yes. Foreigners can usually buy urban property such as apartments and houses. Rural land is different: it is subject to specific rules that limit foreign ownership, and those rules have recently been the subject of court challenges, so they should be checked before any purchase.
Do I need to be in Argentina to buy or sell property?
Not necessarily. Many buyers and sellers abroad sign a power of attorney before a notary in their country, with an apostille, so that a representative can sign the deed in Argentina. We tell you what the power of attorney must include.
What is the difference between the boleto and the escritura?
The boleto de compraventa is the private purchase agreement in which the parties agree on the price, payment and delivery terms. The escritura is the public deed signed before a notary (escribano), which is then registered with the Property Registry so the transfer is effective against third parties.
Do I need an Argentine tax ID to buy property?
Usually, yes. Buyers are typically identified with an Argentine tax number, and foreigners who do not live in Argentina often obtain a CDI. We can help you obtain it before the closing.
How can I sell an apartment I inherited in Argentina?
The heirs usually need the succession to reach the stage where the court has declared the heirs or approved the will. In many cases the property can then be sold directly from the succession (a procedure known as tracto abreviado) without first registering it in each heir’s name. Timing and costs depend on the court and the property.
What taxes and costs apply when buying or selling?
Costs typically include notary fees, registry fees and stamp tax, and the seller may owe income tax depending on when and how the property was acquired. The exact amounts depend on the province, the property and each party’s tax situation, so we review them before you sign.