Renting apartments in the Argentine beaches: summer 2013

When spring arrives, people start getting their swimsuits and sunshades ready to go to the beach. In October, many people start looking for a place to stay during their summer holidays at the beach. Once this begins, prices start to go up. Nevertheless, this year, hotel and apartment bookings at the beach have already begun in September.

The reason why people started making early reservations is because it is expected that more people than usual visit the beaches of Buenos Aires. Due to the restrictions to go out of the country and the extra fee for buying with your credit card (in other countries), it is likely that many people who usually go on vacations to foreign destinations, this year, will stay in the country.

On the other hand, when speaking about prices at the beach, during the highest seasons, prices tend to go up a lot in many areas like accommodation, gastronomy, recreational activities, tent rentals, etc. Prices going up have made many people, especially big families, to stay in apartments, instead of hotels. Apartments tend to be cheaper if the family is too big (not only for its space, but for the opportunity to eat there, etc.), and they are usually more comfortable as well.

In relation to prices, according to some specialists, prices will go up around 30%. Even though some areas of the Government have recommended that prices rise only 15%, at this time of the year, some areas and cities by the beach have already exceeded that amount. Moreover, it is expected that prices will continue rising in October, when the struggle between demand and supply begins, especially in the accommodation area.

As a conclusion, it could be said that prices will probably go up within the months to come, and that demand on the beaches of Buenos Aires this summer 2013 will be higher than other years. This being said, it is recommended that you start looking for accommodation if you are really looking forward to go to the beach this summer.

Co-op or condo meetings: Are they mandatory in Argentina?

Co-op or condo meetings are used in Argentina to discuss about issues regarding the correct maintenance of a building. During these meetings, the owners of each unit can talk about their relationships with their neighbors, organize to fix some areas of the building, discuss administrative issues, or anything that needs to be discussed.

Co-op or condo meetings work like companies, and these meetings are like the shareholder’s meetings, and they can be ordinary or extraordinary.

The ordinary meetings are done at least once a year. During these ordinary meetings, property owners discuss the building’s expenses during the year, the annual balance, next year’s budget, etc. That is to say, during the ordinary meetings, the co-op unit owners get together to discuss administrative and accounting issues, once the fiscal year is over. The person in charge of calling the meeting is the administrative agency.
On the other hand, the extraordinary meetings take place whenever the administrator or a number of owners deem it necessary. According to each condo’s rules the minimum of owner needed to call a meeting will vary. During the extraordinary meetings different issues are discussed, like the approval of a budget to do some repairs, or something that could affect all owners.
The co-op or condo meetings, both ordinary and extraordinary, should be called in advance so that all owners can attend. When calling the meeting the issues to be discussed should be pointed out as well. It is recommended that all owners attend the meeting so they can vote and give their opinions on each matter.
To conclude, it is mandatory to have at least one co-op or condo meeting a year, in order to discuss the administrative and accounting matters of the building. The person in charge of the administration of the building should call this meeting, and all owners should attend, since the decisions made there could affect them.

Ordinary vs. extraordinary maintenance fees in Argentine buildings

According to the Argentine property law, most buildings must have a person or agency that administrates the building’s expenses. In order to cover all expenditure, the unit's owners must pay a monthly maintenance fee.

In Argentina, there are two types of maintenance fees: the ordinary and the extraordinary. The ordinary maintenance fees are those monthly expenses necessary for the day-to-day maintenance, for example the administrative expenses, salaries, insurance, repairs in common areas, etc. The ordinary maintenance fees can be: fixed, variable or mixed. If they are fixed, an estimated amount is calculated and a fixed amount is paid monthly. If they are variable, the expenses will be summed each month; and if they are mixed there will be some fixed expenses and others that will vary each month, and they will be summed each month.

On the other hand, there are the extraordinary maintenance fees. These are related to renewing and repairing the building in order to increase its value and make it more comfortable. One of the main differences between the ordinary and the extraordinary maintenance fees is that the ordinary fees do not require the approval of the majority, while the extraordinary generally do. Since the extraordinary fees are necessary to face some urgent repairs, or not so urgent, but are necessary anyway (like painting the building), they generally need the majority’s approval.

There could be the case that some months the maintenance fees include some extraordinary fees in order to have a fund to be used in emergencies. Last, it should be said that the extraordinary maintenance fees should be paid by the owner of the property and not by its tenant.

Tips to have a “flowerful” balcony

There are plenty of people who would rather live in houses than in an apartment, because they enjoy spending the afternoons in the patio or garden and watch the green areas. Nevertheless, nowadays, it is common to see balconies filled with color and green. Those who enjoy having plants in their balcony will enjoy reading some advice on how to keep theirs radiant and filled with life.

In order your plants last in your balcony, you will first have to consider the conditions your balcony has. For example, if you live in a tall apartment, the wind will probably be something to consider. Other things to bear in mind are if there is too much sun, or little, if there are too many dark areas, etc.

Once you have analyzed these points, you may choose what type of plants you will have on your balcony. For example, perennial plants are perfect for people who will not be paying too much attention to their plants, since they don't need too much care, and they are very resistant to extreme (weather) changes. For these type of people, it is also recommended to have aromatic plants, like rosemary, thyme, mint, etc. These types of plants do not require a great maintenance and they give off a delicious smell (and you can use them when you cook).

Those who would like to have flowers in their balcony will also have to bear in mind its climate conditions, and they will probably have to change them every season. Some easy-to-keep plants with flowers are the azaleas, the geraniums, fuchsias, pansies, among others.

Moving forwards, once you have your plants in your balcony, you will have to look after them. For this reason, we will now give you some tips on how to have your plants nice and colorful:

Don’t water the plants too much, since they can drown. Likewise, in winter, don’t water them too often, but you may do so in summer, especially when the temperature is too high. It is always recommended to water the plants when the dirt is dry, in the case of plants, it is always better that you put less than needed, instead of more.

In winter, you will have to protect the most fragile plants, like the geraniums, the petunias, and others. To do so, it is recommended to cover the plants with special veils, or to take them inside your house.

Once the winter has finished, it is suggested to transplant the plants, so they can grow and be stronger and, since you will change the dirt, they will have more nutrients. Likewise, you should fertilize the plants with homemade or bought compost (you can make it with the raw fruits and veggies' skins).

To keep a nice and flowery balcony is not too complicated; of course, you need to choose the right plants and take care of them properly.

Precautionary measures when working with electricity

Working with electricity may be risky if you don’t take the necessary measures to avoid it. Even though some jobs are not too hard to make, everyone should know what they are doing, in order to do it in the safest way possible. For this reason, we will now give you some advice for you to have in mind when working with electricity, so you don't have any complications:

First, before starting, you should cut the power off from the entire house, or at least, the area you are going to be working on. Moreover, you should have the necessary tools in order to work with electricity in a safe manner: pliers, voltage tester, insulating tape, among others.

Another thing you should bear in mind when working with electricity is to insure you have the right clothes. It is always recommended to use tight clothes, especially if you are going to work in areas with machineries. Nonetheless, the most important thing to remember is that you should always wear shoes with rubber soles; you should never work bear-footed, or with your hands and/or feet wet, since it's too dangerous (water is an electricity conductor).

Likewise, it is recommended to work with the right gloves, especially when you work on high voltage areas, and it is also recommended to protect cables with some insulating material.

If you are going to work on an unknown circuit, you should get to know it first, in order you make sure you will be safe.

Moreover, remember that if you have many devices plugged in one place, it could heat and cause trouble. In case you smell like something is burning, or if the area is hot, unplug all devices immediately, and check if there isn't any lose cables, since this could produce sparks or it could be dangerous if you touch it.

These are a few precautions to have when you are working with electricity. If you follow this tips, you shouldn’t have any trouble; nonetheless, work carefully and pay attention.

How to paint your apartment

First, we should warn you that painting an apartment or even a room is not a super easy activity; still, it is not impossible. For those who want to paint their apartments, we will now give you some tips so you know how to do a good job.

First, it is always recommended to buy good quality paint. If it is not of good quality, it may turn out to be expensive, since it will last less, and it may leave stains when you paint.

Second, once you have the paint, you should first cover all the things you don’t want to paint: plugs, switches, furniture, floors, mirrors, windows and doorframes, baseboards, etc. To cover your furniture you can use old sheets or tablecloths. For the rest, you may use newspapers and paper tape. In case of splashing or stains, it is recommended to clean the area immediately with a wet piece of cloth.

Before you start painting, you will have to clean the surface, that is, it should be free of imperfections and damp. If you have any problem of this sort, the recommendation is that you sand down the area. Nevertheless, if there is a crack, you should cover it first.

Once you have solved this issue, you may start painting. Still, before starting, make sure you have all the necessary elements to do so. If you do, stir the paint before you start using it (and every time you start over), and start painting. It is recommended to start painting the ceiling and then, the walls.

Some other tips you should bear in mind are the following: don’t thin the paint with more water than the recommended amount, since this could leave marks and drips, or it may not cover (i.e. paint) as it should; buy all the paint in one time, in order you avoid changes in tone (for this should calculate how much paint you will need in advance).

Even though every piece of advice is useful and you should remember them, bear in mind that painting an apartment or a room can be fun and it will turn up great!

Ceramics suppliers in the City of Buenos Aires

Within the great variety of meanings, ceramics is known as a material used in many places. These days, the most popular use of ceramics is in the construction and decoration business.

Besides being a very antique resource, which has been used among the world's history, it is still considered for new houses and constructions. For this reason, we will now mention some of the ceramics suppliers that you will find in the city of Buenos Aires:

- Azteca Cerámica: Azteca cerámica dedicates to the distribution of ceramics, both national and imported ones. Address: Av. Santa Fe 1780 - 5° Piso Of. 508. Tel. /Fax: (+54 11) 4816-2119.

- Blaisten S.A.: It offers all types of material you may need for constructing and decorating your house. Address: Av. J.B. Alberdi 3928. Tel.: (+54 11) 4636-2000/1485/1489/1491 / Fax: (+5411) 636-1486/775-0296

- Cerámica Loimar: Here you will find rustics flooring, tiles, and bricks for construction. Address: Av. Paseo Colón 275 - Piso 14°. Tel.: (+54 11) 4344-0200 / Fax: (+54 11)4344-0239

- Cerámica Scop S.A.: Scop offers stoneware materials, ceramics, and other options for floors and walls, among other products. Address: Salguero 2835. Tel.: (+54 11) 4804-0330 / Fax: (+54 11)4801-9831

- S.B.G. S.A.: Here, you will find a great variety of ceramics floorings and tiles for your house. Address: Av. Del Libertador 6279 Tel. / Fax: (+54 11) 4782-1661

- Cerámica San Lorenzo: Cerámica San Lorenzo stands out for its products, within which you may find tiles, panels, floorings, among others. Address: Av. De Libertador 6550

- Barugel, Azulay & Cía.: This place offers everything you need to decorate and construct your house, in order you can have what you have always dreamed of. Barugel Azulay has four shops in the City of Buenos Aires. If you need more information, you can visit their website, or call at (011) 4704-1500.

- Foschia: Not only does it offer a great variety of products for the construction and decoration of your house, but it also offers the best service. In the City of Buenos Aires, you may find a store of Foschia at: Av. Juan B. Justo 1423. Tel. 4771.7873. You may also visit one of the branches outside the City of Buenos Aires.

- Cerámica Oven: Oven provides a personalized attention and all the products you can imagine. Oven has one shop in the neighborhood of Villa Devoto. For more information you can visit their website or call at (011) 4505-0011.

There are other ceramics suppliers in the City of Buenos Aires; look which one is the nearest from your house.

Where to buy Durlock for remodeling

Within time, Durlock has become really popular when it comes to remodeling a house, an apartment or an office. Durlock is perfect to separate rooms, lower ceilings, or many other things; all without the need of using bricks or other materials that are more complicated to put and they leave a mess.

Besides installers, there are a great number of places where you can buy Durlock panels in the City of Buenos Aires and its surroundings. We will now mention some of the places where you can buy Durlock:

- Agüero y Corral Const. SRL. Address: Humboldt 2464. Tel.: 4772-0987

- Alfredo Pugliese SRL. Address: Santo Tome 3972. Tel.: 4566-0690

                                        Address: Álvarez Jonte 3600. Tel.: 4648-0798

- Arsec SA. Address: Uspallata 618. Tel.: 4307-1970/4361-1480

- BG Arquitectura SRL. Address: Pichincha 1296. Tel.: 4943-6117

- Calera Congreso. Address: Av. Congreso 3056. Tel.: 4543-5392

- Centro Cerámico. Address: Av. J. B. Alberdi 3836. Tel.: 4674-4432

- Centro de Materiales. Address: Av. Avellaneda 3847

- Centro Sec SRL. Address: Av. Córdoba 5851. Tel.: 4772-7577

                              Address: Av. Monroe 3161. Tel.: 4542-1075

                              Address: Av. Balbín 3647. Tel.: 4547-3620

- Corralón Céntrico. Address: Uruguay 270. Tel.: 4375-1965

- Distribuidora Rialto SA. Address: Herrera 417. Tel.: 4300-9000

- Facam SA. Address: Av. Juan B. Justo 1200. Tel.: 4773-9736

- Ferretería Central SRL. Address: Monroe 3161. Tel.: 4542-1075

- Ferro Calera Materiales SRL. Address: Ramón Icajal 1272. Tel.: 4234-8364

- Insuma SRL. Address: Av. Directorio 5625. Tel.: 4682-5935

- La Casa del Yesero. Address: Bolivia 1978. Tel.: 4582-1589/4583-2837

- Lock Dur SRL. Address: Constituyentes 4671. Tel.: 4522-1111

- Maderas Villa Urquiza SRL. Address: Monroe 5501. Tel.: 4522-4186

- Madergold SA. Address: Olaya 1739. Tel.: 4855-8777

- Mat y Ser SA. Address: Añasco 3087. Tel.: 4583-5152

- Materiales Melián. Address: Av. Melián 3362. Tel.: 4544-7676

- Materiales Pedraza de RC. Address: C. Larralde 2844. Tel.: 4701-5150

- Medrano Const SA. Address: Medrano 540. Tel.: 4866-2191

                                   Address: Medrano 850. Tel.: 4866-2192

                                   Address: Corrientes 5155. Tel.: 4866-2193

                                   Address: Perón 3350. Tel.: 4866-2194

- Pagano Construcciones SRL. Address: Av. Córdoba 5151. Tel.: 4775-1351

- Pinturerías Prestigio. Address: Av. Libertador 850. Tel.: 57777555

- Pinturerías Quinquela. Address: Av. Scalabrini Ortiz 741. Tel.: 4771-2032

- Pinturerías Rex SRL. Address: Av. San Juan 3281. Tel.: 49182225

- Pladur SA. Address: Av. Corrientes 3044. Tel.: 4867-6200

- San Remo. Address: Av. Independencia 1462. Tel.: 4381-8512

- Sistemas Constructivos. Address: Holmberg 1056. Tel.: 4554-6314/6600/6660

- Uniko SRL. Address: Dr. Belaustegui 4993. Tel.: 4672-6869

- Vedovatto Construcciones. Address: Av. Juan B. Justo 5840. Tel.: 4585-1015

                                              Address: Av. San Martín 4496. Tel.: 4504-5215

- Wall Dur. Address: Álvarez Thomas 2565. Tel.: 4554-2815

- Walltec SRL. Address: Castro Barros 1129. Tel.: 4932-5316