Who buys and where
- Buyer mix: savers protecting wealth in dollars; investors seeking Miami rental yield; families establishing a US foothold.
- Deep Miami familiarity, many buyers have visited for years and know neighborhoods block by block.
- Strong preference for condos (Brickell, Sunny Isles, Aventura) plus single-family in Weston and Doral.
- Multi-generational buying is common: parents, children, and siblings coordinating purchases.
Financing without US credit
Foreign national loans are built for exactly this: 25–30% down is typical, with qualification on passport, visa status, and documented reserves instead of a US credit score. See foreign national loan requirements › Investors buying rentals can also use DSCR loans, which qualify on the property’s rental income.
ITIN
Most financed purchases and US tax filings require an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. File Form W-7 with the IRS (passport required); many buyers complete it alongside the purchase with help from the title company or a CPA.
FIRPTA withholding on sale
When a foreign person sells US real property, the buyer must withhold 15% of the gross sale price and remit it to the IRS. This is a withholding, not the final tax. File a US tax return to compute the actual gain and claim any refund. Plan for it in your exit math from day one.
Moving money from Argentina
Argentina’s currency controls make this the most planning-intensive transfer on this page. Dollars held outside Argentina (US accounts, Uruguay) move most cleanly. Funds inside Argentina face cepo restrictions, official-vs-parallel rate gaps, and documentation requirements that change with each administration. The critical rule: only move money through fully documented, legal channels, US lenders and title companies require a pristine source-of-funds trail, and Argentine compliance is its own specialty. Start with a cross-border advisor before you start with a realtor.
Remote closings & power of attorney
You do not need to be in the US to close. The standard structure: a US bank account for wires, a power of attorney authorizing your representative, and a mail-away/remote closing coordinated by the title company. Lenders and title companies handle foreign-buyer remote closings routinely.
Managing from abroad
A Florida property manager handles leasing, maintenance, rent collection, and bill payment; you oversee from monthly statements. Interview 2–3 managers, verify their foreign-owner experience, and confirm how they handle security deposits and tax documents (1099-MISC / 1042-S).
Tax overview
Argentina taxes worldwide income and assets (including the bienes personales wealth tax). US property must be reported; the interaction with Argentine wealth tax on foreign real estate is a key planning point. Get Argentine-US tax counsel early, this is not a DIY area.
Tax notes on this page are general information, not tax advice. Cross-border taxation is complex, consult a CPA or tax attorney licensed in the relevant jurisdictions before structuring your purchase.
Popular areas
- Miami, Brickell, Sunny Isles, Aventura, the historic Argentine corridor.
- Weston, Single-family community with a large Argentine presence.
- Doral, Condos and townhomes near the business corridors.
FAQ
Can Argentines finance, or is it cash only?
Financing is available: foreign national loans at 25–30% down work for Argentine buyers with documented funds. Cash remains common but is not required.
How do currency controls affect the purchase?
They affect getting dollars out, not the US purchase itself. Solve the transfer legally first; the US side is standard once funds are in a US account.
Should I buy as a person or a company?
Argentine buyers frequently use US LLCs or foreign entities, but entity choice interacts with FIRPTA, Argentine reporting, and estate tax. Get both US and Argentine advice.
What about the 15% FIRPTA withholding on sale?
Standard for foreign sellers: 15% of gross price withheld, reconciled on a US tax return.