Buying real estate in Chile?

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Are property prices rising in Chile?

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Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Chile Property Pack

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Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our Chile Property Pack

Chilean property prices are experiencing modest growth with significant regional differences as of September 2025.

Over the past five years, residential property prices in Chile have risen approximately 21.3% nominally, with the strongest increases during 2021-2022, but growth has now stabilized to 2-3% annually. Urban areas like Santiago continue to see price appreciation, while southern and some coastal regions are experiencing declines.

If you want to go deeper, you can check our pack of documents related to the real estate market in Chile, based on reliable facts and data, not opinions or rumors.

How this content was created 🔎📝

At The LatinVestor, we explore the Chilean real estate market every day. Our team doesn't just analyze data from a distance—we're actively engaging with local realtors, investors, and property managers in cities like Santiago, Valparaíso, and Concepción. This hands-on approach allows us to gain a deep understanding of the market from the inside out.

These observations are originally based on what we've learned through these conversations and our observations. But it was not enough. To back them up, we also needed to rely on trusted resources

We prioritize accuracy and authority. Trends lacking solid data or expert validation were excluded.

Trustworthiness is central to our work. Every source and citation is clearly listed, ensuring transparency. A writing AI-powered tool was used solely to refine readability and engagement.

To make the information accessible, our team designed custom infographics that clarify key points. We hope you will like them! All illustrations and media were created in-house and added manually.

What have property prices in Chile been doing over the past five years?

Chilean residential property prices have increased by approximately 21.3% nominally over the past five years through September 2025.

The strongest price growth occurred during 2021 and 2022, with increases of 13.9% and 18.4% respectively, driven by pandemic-related factors including low interest rates and increased demand for housing.

From 2023 onward, the Chilean property market has stabilized significantly, with current nominal price growth running at a much more moderate 2-3% annually. When adjusted for inflation, real property values are now flat or showing slight declines of approximately -1.7% as of Q3 2024.

Sales volumes have also decreased by about 15% year-over-year in 2024, indicating reduced buyer enthusiasm and increased market caution among potential property purchasers.

This trend reflects a normalization of the Chilean property market after the exceptional growth period of the early 2020s.

Are prices currently going up, down, or staying the same this year?

As of September 2025, Chilean property prices are modestly rising in nominal terms but remaining flat or declining slightly when adjusted for inflation.

Urban areas like Santiago continue to experience ongoing price growth, with expectations of 3-7% increases through 2025, while some regions, particularly southern and coastal zones, are experiencing price declines or stagnation.

The overall market shows mixed signals, with nominal price increases of 2-3% annually being offset by Chile's current inflation rate of 4.3%, resulting in real price declines for most regions.

Market activity remains cautious, with sales volumes down 15% year-over-year, suggesting that while prices aren't collapsing, buyer demand has cooled considerably from the peak years of 2021-2022.

Which regions or cities in Chile are seeing the fastest growth in property values?

Santiago leads Chilean property price growth, particularly in the northeastern districts of Las Condes and Vitacura, where luxury markets are experiencing 5-8% annual price increases.

Region/City Annual Price Growth Market Segment
Las Condes, Santiago 5-8% Luxury residential
Vitacura, Santiago 5-8% Premium properties
Antofagasta 4-6% Mining worker housing
Copiapó 4-6% Mining industry driven
Central Santiago 3-7% Urban residential
Northern mining regions 4-6% Rental and purchase demand
Valparaíso 0-7% Mixed residential

Are there areas where prices are dropping instead of rising?

Southern Chile is experiencing the most significant property price declines, with decreases of approximately -3.9% in 2024-2025.

Coastal areas are also seeing price drops due to environmental risks and oversupply conditions, particularly in smaller coastal towns that experienced overdevelopment during the boom years.

Remote rural areas and smaller towns with limited economic opportunities are experiencing stagnation or mild price declines as young populations migrate to urban centers for employment.

Some previously overvalued markets in secondary cities are now correcting, with prices falling as demand fails to keep pace with available inventory.

It's something we develop in our Chile property pack.

How do urban property prices compare to rural property prices?

Urban property prices in Chile are significantly higher and more resilient than rural property prices, with urban areas showing consistent demand and price growth while rural areas experience stagnation or decline.

Santiago's urban market continues to appreciate at 3-7% annually, driven by urbanization trends and limited housing supply, while rural areas see flat or negative growth.

The price gap between urban and rural properties has widened considerably over the past five years, as Chile's middle class (43% of the population) concentrates in major cities for employment opportunities.

Rural properties face challenges including limited infrastructure, fewer amenities, and reduced access to employment, making them less attractive to both domestic and foreign buyers.

Investment returns and rental yields are consistently higher in urban areas, particularly in Santiago, Valparaíso, and Concepción, compared to rural markets.

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What is driving demand for real estate in Chile right now?

Urbanization and population growth in major cities are the primary drivers of Chilean real estate demand, with the expanding middle class representing 43% of the population seeking better housing options.

Northern mining investments, particularly from companies like Antofagasta and Codelco, create significant rental and purchase demand in mining regions as workers relocate for employment opportunities.

Chile's stable GDP growth, projected at 2-2.5% for 2025, provides economic confidence that supports property purchases, particularly among middle and upper-income buyers.

Interest rates for mortgages remain relatively stable at 4-5.5%, making property financing accessible for qualified buyers, with mortgage credit rising 6.4% year-over-year.

Foreign investor interest continues in prime urban and luxury markets, helping to stabilize prices despite political uncertainties in the broader economy.

Are foreign investors playing a big role in pushing prices up?

Foreign investors remain active in Chile's property market, particularly in prime urban and luxury segments, but they are not the primary driver of overall price increases.

International buyers focus mainly on high-end properties in Santiago's Las Condes and Vitacura districts, where their activity helps support price growth of 5-8% annually in the luxury segment.

Foreign investment provides market stability during periods of political uncertainty, as international buyers often have longer investment horizons and less sensitivity to short-term political changes.

However, the broader property market price movements are more influenced by domestic factors such as urbanization, employment growth, and local demand rather than foreign investment flows.

Foreign buyers typically represent a smaller portion of total transactions but concentrate in higher-value properties, amplifying their impact on luxury market segments.

How is the local economy, like wages and employment, influencing housing demand?

Chile's current unemployment rate of 8.9% is moderating housing demand, as job security concerns make potential buyers more cautious about major financial commitments.

Wage growth has not kept pace with property price increases over the past five years, making affordability a growing issue for many Chilean households, particularly first-time buyers.

Inflation at 4.3% is eroding purchasing power faster than nominal wage increases, reducing the pool of qualified buyers in many market segments.

The expanding middle class, while representing 43% of the population, faces increasing pressure from rising living costs, which limits their ability to enter the property market or upgrade to larger homes.

Regional economic disparities mean that mining regions with higher wages see stronger property demand, while areas with limited economic opportunities experience weaker housing markets.

infographics rental yields citiesChile

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.

What effect are interest rates and mortgage availability having on buyers?

Current mortgage interest rates of 4-5.5% in Chile are relatively stable and accessible, supporting continued property purchases among qualified buyers.

Mortgage credit availability has improved, with a 6.4% year-over-year increase in lending, indicating that banks remain willing to finance property purchases for creditworthy borrowers.

However, stricter lending standards implemented since 2023 mean that buyers need stronger financial profiles, including higher down payments and more stable income verification.

The combination of stable rates and increased credit availability partially offsets affordability challenges caused by rising property prices and inflation.

First-time buyers face the greatest challenges in securing financing, as banks require higher debt-to-income ratios and larger down payments compared to the more relaxed lending environment of 2021-2022.

Is there enough new housing supply to keep up with demand?

New housing supply in Chile is not meeting current demand, with building permits falling 31.8% in 2024, signaling significant developer caution.

Construction activity has reached decade-low levels, creating supply constraints that are helping to support property prices despite reduced buyer enthusiasm.

Santiago faces particular supply shortages in affordable and mid-range housing segments, as developers focus on higher-margin luxury projects that require less volume to achieve profitability.

Rising construction costs, regulatory challenges, and political uncertainties have made many developers postpone or cancel planned residential projects.

This supply-demand imbalance is likely to continue supporting property prices in urban areas, particularly Santiago, even if buyer demand remains modest.

It's something we develop in our Chile property pack.

Are government policies or regulations impacting property prices significantly?

Government regulations including tax policies, planning restrictions, and political uncertainty are adding market risk but have not caused major property price drops as of September 2025.

Planning and zoning regulations in Santiago and other major cities limit new development, contributing to supply constraints that support existing property values.

Tax policies affecting property ownership and capital gains continue to influence investor behavior, though they have not fundamentally altered market dynamics.

Political uncertainty creates some investor caution, but foreign investment continues in prime markets, suggesting that regulatory risk is manageable for most buyers.

Environmental regulations, particularly in coastal areas, have impacted development potential and property values in some regions, contributing to price declines in affected zones.

What are experts and analysts predicting for Chilean property prices in the next few years?

Real estate analysts expect moderate annual growth of 2-4% for Chilean property prices over the next few years, with significant regional variations.

Prime urban areas, particularly Santiago, and northern mining regions are predicted to continue showing price appreciation due to sustained demand and limited supply.

Southern regions and environmentally challenged coastal areas are likely to experience continued stagnation or slight price drops as oversupply and lower demand persist.

Experts recommend that investors focus on prime urban locations, mining regions, and sustainably developed areas to achieve positive returns in the current market environment.

The consensus view suggests that Chilean property prices will remain relatively stable with modest growth, avoiding both significant crashes and rapid appreciation seen in previous cycles.

It's something we develop in our Chile property pack.

Conclusion

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Readers are advised to consult with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions. We do not assume any liability for actions taken based on the information provided.

Sources

  1. Global Property Guide - Chile Price History
  2. The LatinVestor - Chile Price Forecasts
  3. The LatinVestor - Will Prices Go Down Chile
  4. CEIC Data - Chile House Prices Growth
  5. Becker Abogados - Political Changes Impact
  6. Adventures in CRE - Chile Real Estate Markets
  7. Trading Economics - Chile Housing Index
  8. Statista - Chile Residential Real Estate