What all is included in monthly HOA expenses on ZonaProp listings or for condos in Buenos Aires?

[earlyretirement]

This is why we gave the advice that we do. Before buying, we always check the health of the finances of the building HOA. Buying real estate in Buenos Aires isn't like in the USA or first world country. There are a lot of pitfalls here that you need to look out for. That poster most likely purchased in a building that already was plagued with issues. When a building is broke and no owners are willing to pony up cash to fix things there isn't too much you can do. Most administrators are horrible.

But there is a real risk if the building administration is 3 million pesos behind their water bill. Many HOA's include this in the HOA as there aren't separate meters in many buildings. Especially older buildings and the HOA is supposed to pay the water company, AySA. But some are just incompetent or corrupt and steal the money. Many of these administrations just go bankrupt and can't pay. So it is essential to check the financial health of a building besides just if the apartment is nice.

The judicial system doesn't work in Argentina so you have to avoid these types of properties from the start.

Not only this but some people like buying PH properties that have no HOA at all. No HOA means no monthly expenses typically which can be a positive but it can also be a negative when things break or go wrong. Just keep in mind with no building administration, and several neighbors when things like water pipes, gas, electrical, structural or leaking issues happen you all have to get together and pay to repair it. You will find in some properties, the neighbors are broke and don't want to or don't have the money to contribute their share.

So it is a good idea to see when the last time things were repaired in those properties.

 

[Vince]

Not only this but some people like buying PH properties that have no HOA at all. No HOA means no monthly expenses typically which can be a positive but it can also be a negative when things break or go wrong. Just keep in mind with no building administration, and several neighbors when things like water pipes, gas, electrical, structural or leaking issues happen you all have to get together and pay to repair it. You will find in some properties, the neighbors are broke and don't want to or don't have the money to contribute their share.

So it is a good idea to see when the last time things were repaired in those properties.

True. My buddy that bought in an old PH it was great for the first few years with no condo fees. But then whamo. Their water pipe going into the building broke. And then the gas line. He had no water for months and then when the water started working, the gas went out so no hot water for over a year. In the end he had to pay for the entire repair and get agreement that the other neighbors would pay him over a few years but 2 stopped paying. Oh the joys of living in BA.

 

[Jenn]

True. My buddy that bought in an old PH it was great for the first few years with no condo fees. But then whamo. Their water pipe going into the building broke. And then the gas line. He had no water for months and then when the water started working, the gas went out so no hot water for over a year. In the end he had to pay for the entire repair and get agreement that the other neighbors would pay him over a few years but 2 stopped paying. Oh the joys of living in BA.

Wow no water for months. How do people get by with no water/showers? Those people must stink!

 

[BuySellBA]

FYI, with the inflation, the HOA bills are starting to go up this month. We've seen a 25% increase in one of the properties we own vs. last month.

 

[Wally]

FYI, with the inflation, the HOA bills are starting to go up this month. We've seen a 25% increase in one of the properties we own vs. last month.

Yep. My April bill jumped up all of a sudden. It was holding ok even with the inflation the past several months but a big jump of 30% higher this month.

 

[Betsy Ross]

FYI, with the inflation, the HOA bills are starting to go up this month. We've seen a 25% increase in one of the properties we own vs. last month.

My expensas also significantly went up this month. I hope this isn't the new normal.

 

[Yale]

Does anyone else have an issue with Zonaprop? I find it all very frustrating because it has not been accurate. I have found the same property listed with two realtors. Many have the wrong monthly expenses fee listed on it. Others never respond. I was told that many realtors don't answer if you email them in English because they don't want to deal with foreigners which seems counterintuitive to me. I would have thought they like dealing with foreigners that have dollars.

I have found the experience buying here frustrating. Realtors are generally bad here. Is there any better websites than Zonaprop?

 

[Betsy Ross]

Does anyone else have an issue with Zonaprop? I find it all very frustrating because it has not been accurate. I have found the same property listed with two realtors. Many have the wrong monthly expenses fee listed on it. Others never respond. I was told that many realtors don't answer if you email them in English because they don't want to deal with foreigners which seems counterintuitive to me. I would have thought they like dealing with foreigners that have dollars.

I have found the experience buying here frustrating. Realtors are generally bad here. Is there any better websites than Zonaprop?

I hate zonaprop. They are probably the largest but I never met anyone that had a good experience. Realtors here are terrible compared to back home. Buying is not a fun experience here. I had the same problem when I bought my condo. The same condo was listed 3 times. You can spin your wheels so it is a good idea to have your own buyers agent. Just have realistic expectations as it is different here vs. US.

Many realtors from the listings don't like dealing with foreigners because many people contact them from outside of Argentina and are not serious. It is a better idea to work with a local realtor and have them contact the listing agent.

 

[Digital Nomad]

I hate zonaprop. They are probably the largest but I never met anyone that had a good experience. Realtors here are terrible compared to back home. Buying is not a fun experience here. I had the same problem when I bought my condo. The same condo was listed 3 times. You can spin your wheels so it is a good idea to have your own buyers agent. Just have realistic expectations as it is different here vs. US.

Many realtors from the listings don't like dealing with foreigners because many people contact them from outside of Argentina and are not serious. It is a better idea to work with a local realtor and have them contact the listing agent.

This was my experience @Betsy Ross. I mistakenly thought realtors would be overjoyed to have a foreigner contacting them but some once they found out I was American weren't too thrilled. I explained that I understood the process but a few told me that they get a mountain of emails from Americans that are in the US and aren't serious. It is a good idea to emphasize to them that you are already in BA and to write in Spanish not English. It helps to have your own realtor.

 

[Cali Baby]

My friend is in BA for the past year. She is in a long term lease and pays the monthly condo fees. She reported it has jumped up a ton since she started but she said December jumped up a lot! Does anyone know if this is normal or anything special about December?

 

[Betsy Ross]

My friend is in BA for the past year. She is in a long term lease and pays the monthly condo fees. She reported it has jumped up a ton since she started but she said December jumped up a lot! Does anyone know if this is normal or anything special about December?

December is usually always higher. Most doorman/woman get an annual bonus around Christmas or end of the year. It's an extra 1/2 salary. Also some raises are timed at the end of this year. Prices have been going way up. If she looks at the actual bill you usually can see what the expenses are. Some bad administrations don't provide much detail but you can always ask them to break it down and they usually will.