How to Buy Property in Argentina: Complete Step-by-Step Process from Reserva to Escritura

Buying property in Argentina follows a structured legal process that has remained largely unchanged for decades. The steps are predictable, the timeline is manageable, and the costs are transparent once you know what to expect. The challenge for foreign buyers is not complexity but unfamiliarity: the system uses different terminology, different professionals, and different conventions than what most English-speaking buyers have encountered before.

This guide walks through the entire process from first offer to registered ownership. Every step described here is standard practice in Argentine property transactions as of 2026.

Step 1: Find the Property and Agree on Price

Argentine real estate is listed on platforms like ZonaProp, ArgenProp, Mercado Libre Inmuebles, and increasingly through international-facing platforms like Bektu. Listings are almost always priced in US dollars, a legacy of decades of peso instability that persists even after the 2025 currency stabilization.

Negotiation is expected. Properties in Buenos Aires currently sell at approximately 4% below asking price on average, meaning a property listed at $200,000 typically closes around $192,000. The discount varies by neighborhood, property condition, and how long the listing has been on the market. Sellers who have been listed for more than 90 days are generally more flexible.

Once you and the seller agree on a price, the process moves to a formal reservation.

Step 2: The Reserva (Reservation)

The reserva is a short, written agreement that takes the property off the market while both parties prepare for the next steps. It is not legally required, but it is standard practice and strongly recommended.

The buyer pays a reservation deposit, typically 1% to 2% of the agreed purchase price. This money is held by the real estate agent or, preferably, by an escribano.

The reserva document should specify the property address and legal description, the agreed purchase price, the deposit amount, the deadline for signing the boleto de compraventa (usually 15 to 30 days), and the conditions under which the deposit is refundable.

This last point is critical. A well-drafted reserva includes a clause stating that the deposit is fully refundable if title issues are discovered during due diligence. Without this clause, you risk losing your deposit if the escribano finds problems that make the purchase inadvisable.

Step 3: Choose Your Escribano

If you have not already selected an escribano (public notary), this is the moment to do so. Under Argentine law, the buyer has the right to choose the escribano, and you should exercise that right.

The escribano is not just a signature witness. They are a licensed legal professional responsible for verifying the seller's title and right to sell, confirming there are no liens, encumbrances, or judicial holds on the property, verifying that all taxes and utility bills are current, preparing the escritura publica (the deed of transfer), presiding over the signing, and registering the transfer with the Registro de la Propiedad Inmueble.

Choose an escribano who is licensed with the Colegio de Escribanos of the relevant jurisdiction, has experience with transactions involving foreign buyers, and is independent of the seller and the real estate agent.

Escribano fees typically run 1% to 2% of the property value. This is a buyer's cost.

Step 4: Obtain Your CDI

If you do not already have a CDI (Clave de Identificacion), you need to obtain one before the escritura can be signed. The CDI is a tax identification number issued by ARCA (Argentina's tax authority) to foreigners who are not Argentine tax residents.

You will need your passport (original and certified copy), a certificado de domicilio (proof of a local address), and a completed Form F.663. The process takes one to two weeks. Your lawyer or escribano can handle this on your behalf if you provide a power of attorney.

The CDI does not make you an Argentine tax resident. It is purely an identification number for transactional purposes.

Step 5: The Boleto de Compraventa (Purchase Agreement)

The boleto de compraventa is the formal purchase contract. It is more detailed and more binding than the reserva.

This document specifies the complete legal description of the property, the final purchase price, the payment schedule, the date for signing the escritura, penalties for non-performance by either party, and the conditions under which the contract can be terminated.

At this stage, the buyer typically pays 30% to 50% of the total purchase price. This payment is credited against the final price.

The boleto is a binding contract under Argentine law (Codigo Civil y Comercial, Articles 1170-1171), but it does not transfer ownership. It creates an enforceable obligation for both parties to complete the transaction. If the seller backs out, you can sue for specific performance or damages. If the buyer backs out, the seller typically retains the deposit as liquidated damages.

Your lawyer should review the boleto before you sign it. This is not the escribano's role; the escribano prepares the escritura. Your lawyer protects your contractual interests in the boleto.

Step 6: Due Diligence

Your escribano will conduct the legal due diligence between the boleto signing and the escritura. This includes pulling a fresh Informe de Dominio (ownership report) from the Registro de la Propiedad Inmueble, which shows the current owner, the chain of title, and any registered encumbrances.

The escribano will also request a Certificado de Inhibiciones, which checks whether the seller is subject to any judicial orders that would prevent them from selling property.