For a Chilean investor, Miami has stopped being an aspirational luxury and become a portfolio decision: hold hard-currency assets, step outside local risk, and buy into a deep market that runs on clear, predictable rules.
The reason rarely changes from one Chilean buyer to the next — that part is settled. What changes is the mechanics: how to move the capital, which ownership structure to buy under, and which project actually fits the objective. This guide lays it out with an investor's discipline, not a salesperson's.
Moving capital out of Chile, done right
- A formal international wire from your Chilean bank straight to the title company's escrow account. Never to the seller directly.
- A documented source of funds — U.S. compliance is unforgiving, and a clean paper trail is what keeps a closing on schedule.
- Currency and timing — decide in advance when, and through which vehicle, you convert pesos into dollars.
Financing: the non-resident Chilean does qualify
You need neither residency nor citizenship. You can close all-cash or use a foreign national loan (typically 30%–40% down, a modestly higher rate, and paperwork your Chilean bank or accountant can assemble). Many buyers pay cash first and weigh refinancing later.
Ownership: your own name or an entity
Holding U.S. property in your personal name exposes the estate to U.S. estate tax — where the exemption for a foreign owner is a mere US$60,000 — which is why many Chileans buy through a structure (a Florida LLC, sometimes with a holding company above it). It isn't always the right call: it depends on the amount, the use and your broader wealth. Settle it with your accountant before you make an offer.
Pre-construction: why it suits the Chilean buyer
A staged payment plan lets you build a dollar position gradually — say 20% at contract and the balance across construction — while entering at the project's lowest price. The trade-off is time and construction risk, mitigated by choosing developers with a real track record.
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View properties →Frequently asked questions
Can a Chilean buy without residency? Yes — no visa or citizenship, whether all-cash or with non-resident financing.
How do I transfer the money? Through a formal international wire to the title company's escrow, with a documented source of funds. Never to the seller.
My own name or an entity? It depends on the amount, the use and your wealth; personal ownership carries estate-tax exposure. Decide it with your accountant.