A Two-Bedroom Townhouse in Antigua, Guatemala
$299,000
This two-bedroom townhouse sits in a gated community on the outskirts of Antigua, the colonial city and UNESCO Heritage Site surrounded by volcanoes in the highlands of central Guatemala, about 25 miles west of Guatemala City.
“It’s close to Antigua, but not in the hustle and bustle of the commercial areas,” said Glenn Wilson, an agent with Century 21 Antigua Fine Homes, which has the listing. The 39-home development is laid out as “a big square, and in the middle of the square there’s a park with benches, gardens.” From various places on the grounds, he said, residents can eye the dormant Agua volcano.
Built circa 2010, the 1,991-square-foot cinder-block home is accessed through its one-car garage. Mr. Wilson said that sometimes in gated communities in Antigua, the garage isn’t used for cars, which are parked just outside instead. These repurposed garages create extra space for storage, or for a family or sitting room or, in others cases, a bedroom. “I’ve seen all kinds of uses for it,” he said.
Rolando León, the general manager of Nova Antigua Real Estate, characterized Antigua as a buyers’ market, with weakened demand and abundant supply owing to market uncertainty.
currently requiring proof of vaccination and a recent negative Covid-19 test for entry into the country.)
Guatemala’s economic recovery since the pandemic, including its projected 5.1 percent GDP growth in 2021 and the stability of the Guatemalan quetzal with respect to the dollar, gives “confidence and hope” to investors, Mr. Ramírez Fait said.
Although Guatemala has long struggled with violent crime, particularly in Guatemala City, and political corruption — including allegations of bribery facing its current president — Mr. Ramírez Fait said the perception of Guatemala as unsafe is perpetuated by the media. “It’s different from the reality,” he said. “People come to Guatemala and they have no safety issues,” he said, adding that the country has worked for decades to improve its safety.
Prices in Antigua are higher in the city center and lower on the periphery. Mr. Wilson said a centrally located three-bedroom house might cost $300,000 to $600,000, depending on quality and location. Most buyers want to spend less than $500,000.