The beginning of 2026 has shown a notable downturn in real estate transactions in Buenos Aires. During January, only 3,423 property transactions were completed, marking a 55.2% decrease from December's figure of 7,646 transactions. This trend is attributed to banks tightening their qualification criteria for mortgage loans, which significantly dampened market activity. Moreover, this month also reflected a 6.1% year-on-year decrease in transactions compared to January 2025.

Mortgage credits had previously served as a strong incentive for the real estate market, particularly throughout the last quarter of 2024 and into 2025. However, as banks began to harden their lending requirements, home buyers found it increasingly difficult to secure financing, contributing to the stagnation of the market. In fact, only 22% of the transactions in January were conducted using mortgage loans, translating to about 765 mortgages, which is a 19% decrease from January of the previous year.

These shifts in the real estate landscape are significant, as they highlight not only the immediate economic repercussions of tighter banking conditions but also the potential long-term effects on housing affordability and market dynamics in Buenos Aires. Industry stakeholders are likely to watch the evolving situation closely, as prolonged declines could lead to broader economic challenges in the region.