Real Estate Transaction Cost in El Salvador compared to Latin America

The total cost of buying and then re-selling a residential property, including all standard transaction costs (excluding the property’s sale price) — expressed as a percentage of the property value.

Other incidental expenses (such as survey fees, residency permit fees, or company setup costs) are not included in our calculation. In most cases, value-added tax (VAT) is also excluded, as our figures typically reflect the purchase of existing (not newly built) properties.

Transaction costs vary significantly between countries and even within the same market. Agent commissions and legal fees are often negotiable.

Important: Buyers and sellers should always consult with a qualified local lawyer or advisor to obtain exact and up-to-date cost figures for their specific situation.

No house price statistics are published in El Salvador. The Centro Nacional de Registros publishes no housing statistics. The Banco Central de Reserva de El Salvador produces good general statistical time-series, which are up to date and nicely displayed. This is an exemplary site for a country of this size. There are also excellent statistics on the financial system and on many other aspects of life in El Salvador at the Superintendencia del Sistema Financiero.