Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Chile Property Pack
Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our Chile Property Pack
If you're thinking about buying property in Chile, you're probably wondering whether 2026 is the right time to make that move.
In this article, we break down the latest housing price data, market conditions, and local factors that could affect your decision.
We constantly update this blog post to reflect the most current information available about Chile's real estate market.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Chile.
So, is now a good time?
As of January 2026, the answer is "rather yes" for buyers in Chile, mainly because the market is tilted in your favor with over 100,000 units available nationwide.
The strongest signal is inventory levels: Chile's housing stock remains well above normal, giving buyers real negotiating power that hasn't existed in years.
Another strong signal is improving financing: mortgage rates have dropped to around 4.1%, making monthly payments more manageable than they were in 2022 or 2023.
Additional signals include stable macroeconomic conditions with inflation heading toward 3%, government programs like Subsidio al Dividendo supporting first-time buyers, and prices rising only modestly in real terms.
The best strategy right now is to target well-located apartments or townhouses in transit-connected areas like Ñuñoa, San Miguel, or La Florida, plan to hold for 7+ years, and negotiate hard since sellers are competing for buyers.
This is not financial or investment advice, we don't know your personal situation, and you should always do your own research before making any property purchase.
Is it smart to buy now in Chile, or should I wait as of 2026?
Do real estate prices look too high in Chile as of 2026?
As of January 2026, Chile's property prices are elevated but not at "bubble" levels, with the national housing price index showing around 7% nominal growth over the past year, which translates to only low single-digit gains once you account for inflation.
One clear on-the-ground signal that prices aren't wildly stretched is that Chile has over 100,000 unsold residential units sitting on the market, which means sellers are often willing to negotiate and buyers aren't rushing to pay asking prices.
Another telling indicator is that cancellations on new property purchases remain high, suggesting that even committed buyers are walking away when prices don't match their expectations, which keeps overall price growth in check.
You can also read our latest update regarding the housing prices in Chile.
Does a property price drop look likely in Chile as of 2026?
As of January 2026, the likelihood of a meaningful property price drop in Chile over the next 12 months is low, because the banking system has solid buffers and there's no wave of forced selling on the horizon.
Looking at plausible scenarios, Chile's property prices could range from a modest 2% decline (if economic conditions worsen) to a 5% to 8% nominal gain (if financing keeps improving), with a slight increase being the most likely outcome.
The single most important factor that could trigger a price drop in Chile would be a sharp tightening of credit conditions, particularly if external financing costs spike and local banks pull back on mortgage lending.
However, this scenario looks unlikely right now because the Banco Central de Chile projects stable growth of 2% to 3% for 2026, inflation is converging toward 3%, and local financial conditions have actually improved slightly according to their latest stability report.
Finally, please note that we cover the price trends for next year in our pack about the property market in Chile.
Could property prices jump again in Chile as of 2026?
As of January 2026, the likelihood of a renewed price surge in Chile is medium, because improving mortgage rates and government support programs could unlock pent-up demand, though heavy inventory will likely cap any dramatic spike.
In an optimistic scenario, Chile's property prices could rise by 8% to 12% nominally over the next 12 months if mortgage rates continue falling and transaction volumes normalize quickly.
The single biggest demand-side trigger that could push prices higher in Chile is a further drop in mortgage rates combined with expanded access to the government's Subsidio al Dividendo program, which directly helps buyers afford their monthly payments.
Please also note that we regularly publish and update real estate price forecasts for Chile here.
Are we in a buyer or a seller market in Chile as of 2026?
As of January 2026, Chile is clearly a buyer-leaning market, especially for apartments, because inventory remains high and sellers are competing for a limited pool of qualified buyers.
The national housing inventory in Chile sits above 100,000 available units, which typically represents well over 12 months of supply and gives buyers significant room to negotiate on price, conditions, and closing timelines.
While we don't have a single official "price reduction" statistic for Chile, the high cancellation rates on new purchases and the persistent inventory overhang suggest that many sellers are adjusting their expectations downward to close deals.
We have made this infographic to give you a quick and clear snapshot of the property market in Chile. It highlights key facts like rental prices, yields, and property costs both in city centers and outside, so you can easily compare opportunities. We’ve done some research and also included useful insights about the country’s economy, like GDP, population, and interest rates, to help you understand the bigger picture.
Are homes overpriced, or fairly priced in Chile as of 2026?
Are homes overpriced versus rents or versus incomes in Chile as of 2026?
As of January 2026, homes in Chile appear slightly overpriced versus incomes but not dramatically so, with the price-to-income ratio sitting around 108 to 112 on a scale where 100 represents 2015 levels, meaning affordability has worsened but is now roughly stable.
Chile's price-to-rent ratio varies significantly by location: in prime Santiago areas like Las Condes and Vitacura, rental yields are tighter (meaning prices are high relative to rents), while middle-ring areas near Metro stations tend to offer better value for investors.
The price-to-income multiple in Chile has been stretched since the post-2020 price surge, but with nominal incomes continuing to grow and real price gains now modest, affordability is gradually improving rather than getting worse.
Finally please note that you will have all the indicators you need in our property pack covering the real estate market in Chile.
Are home prices above the long-term average in Chile as of 2026?
As of January 2026, Chile's home prices are clearly above their long-term average, with the BIS index at around 377 compared to a base of 100 in 2010, though this reflects 15 years of inflation and economic growth rather than pure speculation.
Over the past 12 months, Chile's housing prices rose by approximately 7% in nominal terms, which is actually more moderate than the double-digit gains seen during 2020 and 2021, suggesting the market is cooling toward a more sustainable pace.
When adjusted for inflation, Chile's real housing prices are still above their pre-pandemic levels, but the gap is narrowing as inflation has eaten into nominal gains and price growth has slowed considerably.
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What local changes could move prices in Chile as of 2026?
Are big infrastructure projects coming to Chile as of 2026?
As of January 2026, the biggest infrastructure project likely to affect property prices in Chile is Metro Line 9 in Santiago, which will connect multiple comunas and historically has pushed up values for apartments and townhouses near new stations by 10% to 20% over time.
Metro Line 9 is currently in active planning and early construction phases, with completion expected in the late 2020s, and the comunas most likely to see price impacts include La Florida, San Joaquín, San Miguel, and parts of Ñuñoa.
Beyond Santiago, the national MOP concessions pipeline for 2025 to 2026 includes road and airport projects that could gradually shift demand toward regional cities and improve commuting patterns across Chile.
For the latest updates on the local projects, you can read our property market analysis about Chile here.
Are zoning or building rules changing in Chile as of 2026?
The single most important zoning change in Chile right now is Ley 21.718, which took effect in May 2025 and aims to streamline construction permits, potentially making it faster and cheaper to bring new housing to market.
As of January 2026, if this permit streamlining works as intended, it could put slight downward pressure on prices over time by increasing supply, though the effect will take years to materialize and will primarily impact apartment-heavy areas where developers are most active.
The areas most affected by these rule changes in Chile will be Santiago's growing comunas like La Florida, Maipú, and Puente Alto, where large-scale apartment projects depend heavily on permitting timelines.
Are foreign-buyer or mortgage rules changing in Chile as of 2026?
As of January 2026, there are no major foreign-buyer restrictions being introduced in Chile, so the bigger story is on the mortgage side, where the government's Subsidio al Dividendo program is actively helping buyers manage their monthly payments.
Chile is not currently considering new foreign-buyer taxes, bans, or quotas, which means international buyers continue to have relatively open access to the market compared to countries like Canada or New Zealand.
On the mortgage side, the most significant recent change is the expansion of FOGAES and related programs that help first-time buyers qualify for loans, essentially widening the pool of eligible purchasers without changing formal LTV limits.
You can also read our latest update about mortgage and interest rates in Chile.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Chile versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
Will it be easy to find tenants in Chile as of 2026?
Is the renter pool growing faster than new supply in Chile as of 2026?
As of January 2026, renter demand in Chile (especially in Santiago) remains strong because many households can't afford to buy, but new rental supply is also expanding, so the balance depends heavily on which comuna and unit type you're targeting.
The best indicator of renter demand in Chile is that mortgage affordability remains challenging despite improving rates, which keeps a steady flow of households in the rental market rather than transitioning to ownership.
On the supply side, Santiago's institutional multifamily sector alone is adding roughly 5,000 new rental units in 2025, bringing total stock to around 44,500 units, which creates real competition for landlords of small and mid-sized apartments.
Are days-on-market for rentals falling in Chile as of 2026?
As of January 2026, we don't have a single official days-on-market statistic for rentals across Chile, but well-priced units in prime locations like Providencia, Ñuñoa, and near Metro stations typically rent within 2 to 4 weeks, while overpriced or poorly located units can sit for months.
The difference between "best areas" and weaker areas in Chile is significant: a well-located apartment near Metro Line 1 or Line 5 in Santiago might rent in half the time of a similar unit in a car-dependent suburb with no transit access.
One common reason days-on-market falls in Chile's prime areas is simply under-supply of quality units with parking, storage, and reasonable common expenses, which creates competition among tenants willing to act fast.
Are vacancies dropping in the best areas of Chile as of 2026?
As of January 2026, vacancies in Santiago's best rental areas like Providencia, Ñuñoa, Las Condes, and Vitacura remain structurally low because these neighborhoods have limited new buildable land and strong demand from professionals and families.
In these prime areas, vacancy rates tend to run below 5%, compared to the broader Santiago market where new apartment corridors can see vacancies closer to 8% to 10% due to heavy supply.
One practical sign that Chile's "best areas" are tightening is when landlords stop offering rent-free months or furniture incentives, something that was common during 2022 to 2023 but is now disappearing in high-demand comunas.
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing what are the current rent levels in Chile.
Buying real estate in Chile can be risky
An increasing number of foreign investors are showing interest. However, 90% of them will make mistakes. Avoid the pitfalls with our comprehensive guide.
Am I buying into a tightening market in Chile as of 2026?
Is for-sale inventory shrinking in Chile as of 2026?
As of January 2026, for-sale inventory in Chile is not shrinking and remains elevated at over 100,000 available units nationwide, which is roughly similar to or slightly above levels from last year.
This inventory level represents well over 12 months of supply in Chile, far above the 6 months typically associated with a balanced market, which means buyers have plenty of options and no urgency to compete aggressively.
Are homes selling faster in Chile as of 2026?
As of January 2026, homes in Chile are selling somewhat faster than during the weakest points of 2023 and 2024, but the pace is still below historical averages and varies greatly depending on price point and location.
Compared to last year, Chile's housing market shows improving momentum with demand rising quarter-over-quarter, though the high inventory means most properties still take several months to sell unless priced competitively.
Are new listings slowing down in Chile as of 2026?
As of January 2026, new project inflow in Chile appears constrained, with developers postponing investment decisions due to financing challenges and regulatory friction, though we can't provide a precise year-over-year percentage with full confidence.
Chile typically sees stronger listing activity in spring (September to November) and after summer holidays (March onward), and the current environment suggests new listings are running below what you'd expect in a healthy market.
The most plausible reason new listings are slowing in Chile is that developers face both tight financing conditions and permitting bottlenecks, which is exactly why the government introduced Ley 21.718 to try to speed up approvals.
Is new construction failing to keep up in Chile as of 2026?
As of January 2026, Chile faces a nuanced situation: there's a structural undersupply in high-demand, transit-linked areas, but also a cyclical oversupply of over 100,000 unsold units in certain new-build apartment segments.
Recent permit and construction activity in Chile has been dampened by financing constraints and cautious developer sentiment, meaning new completions are not keeping pace with long-term household formation in desirable locations.
The single biggest bottleneck limiting new construction in Chile is the combination of slow permitting (which Ley 21.718 aims to address) and tight credit conditions for developers, which makes projects harder to finance and slower to launch.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Chile compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
Will it be easy to sell later in Chile as of 2026?
Is resale liquidity strong enough in Chile as of 2026?
As of January 2026, resale liquidity in Chile is selective: well-located apartments in comunas like Ñuñoa, Providencia, and San Miguel sell reliably, while large houses and properties in fringe locations can sit on the market for many months.
In liquid segments, Chile's resale homes can sell within 60 to 90 days when priced correctly, which is acceptable for a market with high inventory, though anything priced above market will take considerably longer.
The property characteristic that most improves resale liquidity in Chile is proximity to Metro stations, because transit access consistently attracts both owner-occupiers and investors, making these units easier to sell at any point in the cycle.
Is selling time getting longer in Chile as of 2026?
As of January 2026, selling time in Chile is relatively long compared to the pre-pandemic period, primarily because high inventory gives buyers many alternatives and little pressure to act quickly.
The realistic range for selling a home in Chile right now is roughly 60 to 180 days depending on location, price point, and condition, with well-priced apartments in Santiago's best comunas at the faster end and overpriced or niche properties at the slower end.
The clearest reason selling time can lengthen in Chile is if you price above what comparable units are actually trading for, because in a buyer's market, purchasers simply move on to the next option rather than negotiating.
Is it realistic to exit with profit in Chile as of 2026?
As of January 2026, the likelihood of exiting with profit in Chile is medium to high if you hold for 7 or more years, buy at a negotiated price below asking, and choose a liquid location, but low if you need to sell within 1 to 3 years.
The minimum holding period that most often makes exiting with profit realistic in Chile is around 7 to 10 years, which allows time for nominal price appreciation, inflation, and rental income to overcome transaction costs.
Total round-trip costs in Chile (buying plus selling) typically run around 6% to 10% of the property value, or roughly 4,000 to 7,000 UF for a 70,000 UF apartment (approximately 110,000 to 195,000 USD or 100,000 to 180,000 EUR), depending on notary fees, transfer taxes, and agent commissions.
The single factor that most increases your profit odds in Chile is buying below market value in a buyer's market like this one, because your negotiated discount essentially becomes built-in equity from day one.
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What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Chile, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can ... and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why It's Authoritative | How We Used It |
|---|---|---|
| Banco Central de Chile (IPV) | Chile's central bank publishing official housing price data from real transactions. | We used it as our anchor for what's happening to prices in Chile. We also verified its methodology covers both new and used properties. |
| FRED / BIS Property Prices | The St. Louis Fed republishes BIS data with transparent timestamps. | We computed year-over-year price changes and used it as our numeric backbone for price trends. We relied on it to answer whether prices are still rising. |
| BCCh IPoM (Monetary Policy Report) | Official central bank forecasts for growth, inflation, and policy direction. | We anchored our 2026 macro outlook on their projections. We used their growth and inflation path to assess rate and credit expectations. |
| Cámara Chilena de la Construcción | Chile's main construction industry chamber with systematic market tracking. | We relied on their inventory and demand data to assess market balance. We used their apartment vs house split to keep conclusions valid across property types. |
| OECD Housing Prices | International standard reference for affordability ratios and definitions. | We used their methodology to define price-to-income and price-to-rent correctly. We structured our affordability section around their frameworks. |
| DBnomics (OECD Data) | Transparent re-publisher of OECD datasets with downloadable tables. | We pulled Chile's price-to-income ratio from this source. We then extrapolated a 2026 estimate using BIS price growth and macro trends. |
| BCCh Interest Rates | Official compilation of financial system interest rates in Chile. | We anchored mortgage rate levels around late 2025 for housing loans. We used it to show that financing is easing compared to 2022 to 2023. |
| CMF Chile | Chile's financial regulator with official rate datasets. | We used their data to cross-check mortgage market conditions. We triangulated their rates with BCCh's bank credit summaries. |
| MINVU (Ley 21.718) | Official government circular on construction permit streamlining. | We used it to assess whether supply could respond faster to demand. We connected permit reform to potential future price pressure. |
| Gobierno de Chile (Subsidio al Dividendo) | Official government portal describing housing policy changes. | We used it to evaluate demand-side stimulus that could support prices. We explained why financing access might improve even if rates stay flat. |
| Colliers Chile | Major global real estate consultancy with consistent research outputs. | We used their multifamily reports to track new rental supply in Santiago. We applied their unit counts as a supply signal for the apartment market. |
| InvestChile / MOP | Official summary of Chile's public works concessions pipeline. | We used it to identify infrastructure projects that could shift regional demand. We connected road and airport investments to housing implications. |
| Gobierno de Chile (Metro Line 9) | Official government announcement about major transit investment. | We connected future Metro access to likely price impacts in specific comunas. We identified neighborhoods that historically reprice around new stations. |
| BCCh VMV (Housing Market Value) | Central bank experimental statistic on Chile's housing stock value. | We used it to understand market composition between houses and apartments. We kept our analysis Chile-wide while acknowledging Santiago's concentration. |
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of Chile. As you can see, it breaks down price ranges and property types for popular cities in the country. We hope this makes it easier to explore your options and understand the market.
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