Prices in Puerto Varas for 5,000 square meter lots (half hectare), urbanized with basic utilities, are now upwards of 40 million Chilean pesos for prime view and location near the lake and city. There are still less than prime lots in the area ranging from as low as 10 million pesos to 20 million pesos, but finding anything under 10 million Chilean pesos in the area normally comes with lots of catches like no access, no view, no water, and so on. So, expect to get in to raw land at around 20 million Chilean pesos per hectare at the low end and for super prime lake front don't be surprised to pay as much as 80 million per 5,000 square meters.

Houses in Puerto Varas Chile
Houses are another area that has the Puerto Varas market moving. Many Chileans from the Central Region have summer homes in Puerto Varas. What sets Puerto Varas apart from real estate markets in towns like Pucon is that many executives and Chileans with money live in Puerto Varas all year. Typically those with money that work in the 10th region and further south such as executives for the Salmon industry, call Puerto Varas home. Thus, expect to pay for a mature market, with large well built homes, that is not dependent on a pure seasonal tourism economy. Even in the cold and wet part of the year, downtown Puerto Varas is a happening place. Other towns like Pucon will be little more than ghosttowns in the winter time as their population is less than half of what it is in the summer months.

That tight, high quality, housing market in Puerto Varas has moved property prices to some of the highest in Chile. A typical 3-4 bedroom, 2-3 bath house, built in the last 5 years or so, on 5,000 square meters of land or less will start at around 100 million pesos and up ($200,000 US). Top end of the market can easily reach 200,000 to 400,000 million pesos ($400,000 – 800,000 US).

Deals on Real Estate in Puerto Varas Chile
With shopping, and low expectations, houses can still be found in Puerto Varas at under 50 million pesos or so, but you need to lower your expectations dramatically in terms of location and quality of construction. There are cheaper  houses and property around the lake, but you need to move out from Puerto Varas proper towards Frutillar or Ensenada. In between, there are many locations viewed by Chileans as less desirable, but to a foreigner it might just be heaven at the right price.

About the Author:
Charles Spencer and Attorney Zandra Valenzuela are owners of Spencer Global Chile, providing legal, relocation, and investment services to foreign clients anywhere in Chile, with offices and English speaking attorneys in Frutillar Chile we provide legal and investment services in Pueto Varas, Chile and across all of Chile.  For more information about living or investing in Chile please visit: www.spencerglobal.com or call 1-702-990-1762 from outside Chile.