Mendoza, Córdoba Top Interior Rent Hikes

Mendoza

Mendoza posted the largest increase in average rents from 2009-2011 followed by Cordoba.

Mendoza and Cordoba are the two cities in Argentina’s interior that posted the largest increases in residential rental rates according to a new report by Reporte Inmobiliario. An analysis of all major Argentine metros focused on the average rent for an existing two-room apartment in January 2009 and January 2011.

Mendoza led the ranking with a 55% increase, although the percentage was probably closer to 60% as data for Mendoza focused on an 18-month window. Average rents in Mendoza rose from $770 pesos in July 2009 to $1,195 in January 2011. Cordoba took second place with a 51% increase over the two-year period. Two-room departamentos cordobeses rented for an average of $800 pesos in 2009 and now fetch just north of $1,200. Other northern cities posting two-year, double-digit gains include Santa Fe (48.6%) and Corrientes (47%) where average rents rose to $1,100 and $1,090, respectively.

And while northern cities are posting the largest gains in average rents, cities in Southern Argentina are still posting strong double-digit gains. Río Gallegos posted a 32% increase ($870 to $1,150 pesos), Cipolletti rates rose 27% ($920 to $1,170) and Comodoro Rivadavia rents jumped 26.8% ($1,190 to $1,510) making CR the most expensive rental market in Argentina’s interior followed closely by Bariloche where the average two-room apartment listed for $1,440 pesos in January 2011.

In terms of affordability, Gabriela Origlia reminds La Manana de Cordoba readers that the highest private sector salaries are paid in southern provinces like Santa Cruz, Chubut and Neuquen where average salaries are twice the national average of $3,700 pesos. Conversely, salaries in Northwest and Northeast Argentina are much lower than the national average making housing affordability a more pressing issue. (Full Story in Spanish)

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Buenos Aires Skyline

New rankings from Mercer & Jones Lang LaSalle shed light on office space & expat affordability.

Commercial office space in Buenos Aires now ranks among the world’s Top 20 most expensive markets, according to a new study from Jones Lang LaSalle.

The analysis, prepared for Brazilian business publication Valor, compared office rents in 98 of the world’s largest metros in the U.S., Europe, Asia and South America. The #20 ranking places Buenos Aires ahead of cities like Bombay (#21), Toronto (#24), and Mexico City (#25), yet well behind the two most expensive markets in Latin America, Rio de Janeiro (#6) and Sao Paulo (#9).

The ranking made headlines in Brazil yesterday considering both cidades were in the Top 10, fueled in part by a roaring economy and record-setting acquisitions in both cities like SP’s Icon Faria Lima (US$351 million) and Rio’s Ventura Towers (US$398 million).

The analysis says average rents in both Brazilian cities are now more expensive than Manhattan, with an average range between $55-65 per square meter and some marquee buildings fetching closer to $85 per square meter. The Brazilian frenzy makes BA rents look affordable by comparison, and La Nacion reminds readers of a new Mercer global study which ranks BA #161 among 214 cities in terms of an affordability index for expats which factors in housing, transportation, clothing, food, and entertainment. (Note: the lower the number, the more affordable the city). Conversely, Brazil’s dynamic duo lie at the opposite end of the spectrum with Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo checking in at #29 and #21, respectively. (Full story in Portuguese)

For more information on Buenos Aires real estate, visit our archives and download the new issue of InvestBA Privada.

usual-suspects

Recoleta, Palermo and Belgrano remain the Top 3 BA neighborhoods in terms of median price/SF.

A new survey of 465 players in the Buenos Aires real estate sector sheds new light on the market’s strengths, weaknesses and median price levels by neighborhood. LaNacion shares the results of the “Real Estate Scene 2010″ survey led by Mercado and Reporte Inmobiliario.

There was general consensus among the respondents that prices are relatively high in BA, and 57% believe prices will continue to rise during the course of 2010. 30% feel prices will stay flat, while 13% think prices could actually fall over the next eight months. Even greater than rising prices, 60% of those surveyed feel the biggest obstacle to home ownership for buyers in BA is, what else, the lack of financing.

The affordability outlook is similar for renters, as 64% of those surveyed believe rents will increase this year and 24% predicting the average rent increase will be greater than 10%. Despite the obstacles, the majority of respondents are bullish on the sector’s overall outlook including the prospects that new residential projects will be introduced over the next 12 months.

The general mistrust of banks means real estate is still viewed as a tangible, safe harbor asset class for buyers, while the scarcity of mortgages ensures a steady stream of future renters for those looking for investment properties in BA. In terms of median prices by neighborhood, the usual suspects remain the most expensive and desirable destinations: Recoleta, Palermo and Belgrano. Villa Devoto, Nunez and Barracas occupy the second-tier in terms of affordability while Villa Urquiza, as noted previously on InvestBA, is growing in popularity and moving up the rankings in all categories.

New construction projects in Villa Urquiza offer modern amenities & great views.

Many new construction projects in Villa Urquiza offer modern amenities & greater affordability.

When we reported last week on the 2009 summary statistics for units sold and under construction in the City of Buenos Aires, Palermo was singled out for it’s #1 ranking among neighborhoods in terms of projects under construction last year.

Yet, according to Clarín, a closer look at the numbers throws a little cold water on the Palermopalooza and simultaneously spotlights a rising star among BA barrios: Villa Urquiza. The 18,700 sq. ft. under construction in Palermo last year represented a 42% drop compared to 2008; however, the 13,000 sq. ft. under construction in Villa Urquiza (VU) represented a 10% increase compared to 2008.

Local real estate analysts attribute the VU boom to good location (inside Capital Federal and adjacent to the General Paz Highway), availability of vacant lots, improving infrastructure (the Subway’s B Line will soon add two new stations in Villa Urquiza) and greater affordability.

A quick look at new construction listings in VU reveals ample 2 and 3-room apartment inventory priced below $100,000. Finally, the recent price trajectory in the neighborhood has definitely been up: Prices for new construction in VU have more than doubled from $65/SF in 2003 to $149/SF last year.

For more information about real estate opportunities in Buenos Aires, download IncomeBA and the new issue of InvestBA Privada.

Aerial view of debt-laden Dubai stands in stark contrast to the natural beauty of developments like this one in Carilo, Argentina

Aerial view of Dubai in stark contrast to the natural beauty of developments like this one in coastal BA.

World financial markets were rocked yesterday when news surfaced that Dubai World, the Dubai corporation responsible for some of the UAE’s most lavish developments, was unable to meet interest payments on the over $80 billion in debt it holds.

According to The Times, “Dubai World began the panic on Wednesday by demanding a standstill on its interest payments (and) worsened the mood when it postponed a teleconference for its bond holders, saying the phone lines were overwhelmed.”

So what would you expect to find today on the front page of the UAE’s leading English-language newspaper? A probing analysis of Dubai World’s leverage? A soul-searching essay questioning why anyone would want to live in overpriced, garish desert casino castles like this? No on both. How about a glowing review of Buenos Aires?

“With its beautiful buildings, lively social life and colourful history, it is no wonder that Buenos Aires is fast becoming South America’s favourite capital,” writes Julianna Barnaby in today’s Khaleej Times and, she concludes,one visit to Buenos Aires is definitely not enough.”

Of course Dubai will be fine, because Abu Dhabi won’t allow it to fail, but the case for investing in waterfront real estate is much more compelling in Argentina than Dubai in terms of pricing, natural surroundings, building design and cultural similarities.

For more information on coastal opportunities in Argentina and Uruguay, download the new issue of InvestBA Privada.

 

Bariloche

Mendoza

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