Buenos Aires real estate sales fall 11.3% amid mortgage rate competition

The real estate market in the province of Buenos Aires experienced a slowdown during the second four-month period of 2026, with property sales falling 11.3% compared to the same period in 2025. According to data from the Colegio de Escribanos, 44,180 sales were recorded, down from 49,784 in the previous year. Despite this year-on-year decline, there was a 25% increase in activity compared to the first four months of 2026.

This stagnation occurs amidst a competitive race among banks to lower mortgage rates. Following a government tender of 200,000 million pesos from the Sustainability Guarantee Fund (FGS), several banks have reduced interest rates for UVA loans to a benchmark of 7.5%. Some institutions, such as Banco Ciudad, have even offered rates as low as 6.5% for first-time homebuyers. However, these improved credit conditions have not yet translated into a significant boost in real estate transactions.

In the broader financial sector, Argentine assets have shown volatility, leading to adjustments in fixed-term deposit (plazo fijo) rates. Banks are currently competing to attract savings, with institutions like Banco Macro and Banco Hipotecario offering the highest nominal annual rates at approximately 19.5%.