FAQ 2

Some important questions to ask before investing:

1. What is my overall objective (real estate investment, rental apartment, retirement home, hobby farm, making wine with grapes from my own vineyard, etc.)?

2. What is my total budget, including improvements after purchase?

3. Is my budget realistic considering my objectives and current market conditions?

4. How much time out of the year will I be spending in Argentina?

5. What are the financial projections and capital requirements over the long-term for the property I am considering?

6. Is it essential that my property turn a profit, or is this a lifestyle investment where my ROI includes intangibles?

7. Who will reliably inspect the properties that interest me? Is the person offering me the service truly independent, or a friend/associate of the seller or realtor?

8. If an agricultural property, what is the frost risk? Is there official historical data?

9. If a residential or commercial property, what modifications have been done to it? Does it meet codes? Can I remodel it as I please or are there restrictions?

10. Who can I trust to tell me the truth about the local market, including good and bad areas, fair property values, building and labor costs, government regulations, taxes, etc.?

11. What are Argentine negotiation tactics? How can I be sure I am getting the best possible price for a property?

12. Who will accompany or represent me at closing to ensure that everything goes smoothly and that no one takes advantage of my ignorance of Argentine laws and tax regulations?

13. How will I transfer money into Argentina to purchase my property and pay for ongoing expenses without 30% being retained for a year by the Central Bank? Who can I trust to receive my money and spend it appropriately?

14. Because it usually takes at least four weeks to close on a property after an agreement has been reached with the seller, will I be able to come back to Argentina to purchase? Could I save time and money by having someone represent me at closing?

15. If I can not return to Argentina for closing, who can I trust to act in my name under Power of Attorney, receive my wire transfer and sign the titlework?

16. What will I do when the seller wants to declare on the title much less than the real amount of the sale in order to minimize taxes? If I agree, how will I get the undeclared funds into the country with which to purchase?

17. If I agree to declare on the new title deed that I am purchasing the property for less than the true amount, what are my tax liabilities? (Careful - they are very substantial!)

18. After I've purchased, who can I rely on to look after my investment in an honest and transparent way? Who will receive and pay the water, electricity and tax bills?

19. Because there is such a large black market in Argentina, how will I deal with employees and vendors who wish to be paid under the table and off the books? What are the associated legal and tax risks for me as a foreign investor?

I'm interested in your services - what's the next step?

Please contact us at info@english-associates.com to arrange a time for a conference call to discuss your questions and specific needs. Or, email us and we will send you our standard Rate Sheet with descriptions of our services and their cost.