A practical guide to buying, selling, financing, building, developing, and owning property in The Bahamas.

Before you act on anything in this guide: all buyers and sellers must retain a licensed Bahamian attorney for legal, title, and conveyancing advice. This page is general information only — it is not a substitute for individual legal, tax, or immigration advice from a qualified Bahamian professional.

Guide	What it covers
About The Bahamas	Island-by-island differences in title, utilities, access and market liquidity
Buying Real Estate	The 11-step buyer journey from intent to recorded conveyance
Foreign Investors and Non-Bahamian Buyers	IPLA registration vs. permit rules, exchange control, entity ownership
Selling Real Estate	Seller readiness, net proceeds, non-resident repatriation
Due Diligence and Title Protection	Title, survey, inspections — what not to waive
Transaction Costs, Taxes and Ownership Costs	VAT, Real Property Tax, legal and brokerage costs
Financing a Bahamian Property	Resident vs. non-resident financing, construction loans
Building a Home	Phase-gated roadmap from feasibility to completion
Developing Real Estate	Go/no-go framework for developers and institutional investors
Investment Incentives and Government Approvals	BIA, Hotels Encouragement Act, concessions
Owning, Renting and Managing Property	Rental types, property management, NOI/DSCR underwriting
Immigration, Residency and Relocation	What ownership does and doesn’t grant
Risk Guide: What Can Go Wrong	Red flags paired with controls
Resource Centre and FAQs	Checklists, calculators and glossary

This guide provides general information and was reviewed as of 9 August 2026. Bahamian laws, taxes, fees, government procedures, lending criteria, planning requirements, and immigration policies may change. Property facts and approval requirements vary by island, parcel, ownership structure, intended use, and project scope. All buyers and sellers must retain a licensed Bahamian attorney for legal and title-transfer advice. Obtain independent advice from a licensed Bahamian attorney and the relevant qualified tax, financial, planning, engineering, environmental, appraisal, insurance, and immigration professionals before acting.