How to Buy a Condo
in the Bahamas
Step by Step 2026

Foreign nationals buy Bahamas condos with freehold title - the same ownership rights as Bahamian citizens - under the International Persons Landholding Act (1994). The 8-step process: (1) define objective and island; (2) shortlist with Glenn and review cost breakdown; (3) view in person or by video; (4) engage a licensed Bahamian attorney; (5) submit written offer and pay 10% deposit into escrow; (6) attorney conducts 30-year title search and HOA review; (7) close - attorney executes deed, remits flat 10% conveyance VAT, registers title; (8) post-closing Investment Board registration ($25 USD for personal use) and EPR application if applicable. Timeline: 30-90 days from accepted offer. Full remote purchase by power of attorney available - no Nassau travel required. Contact Glenn at +1-242-395-8495 for current listings and a personalised cost breakdown.

Nassau and Paradise Island condo prices range from approximately $350,000 at The Reef Atlantis to $2.65M+ at Aqualina Cable Beach. Total buyer-side closing costs typically run 8% to 11% above the purchase price. The components: (1) flat 10% government conveyance VAT on the full purchase price - the most significant cost, same for all buyers regardless of nationality, non-negotiable; (2) legal fees of 2.5% to 3.5% of the purchase price, Bar Association minimum 3.5% for registered land since January 2026, plus a further 10% VAT on those fees; (3) title search and disbursements of $2,000 to $4,000. On a $750,000 condo: conveyance VAT $75,000; legal fees approximately $20,625 to $28,875; total acquisition approximately $848,000 to $858,000. Annual holding costs: zero income tax, zero capital gains tax, zero inheritance tax. Full details at the property tax guide.

Yes - a licensed Bahamian attorney is legally required for all Bahamas condo purchases, not merely recommended. The attorney conducts the 30-year title search through the Bahamas Registry of Records, confirms the strata title structure of the specific unit, reviews the HOA documentation, prepares the Agreement for Sale, drafts the Deed of Conveyance, remits the flat 10% conveyance VAT to the government under the Conveyancing Amendment Act 2025, and registers the title transfer at the Registry. Legal fees are 2.5% to 3.5% of the purchase price with a Bar Association minimum of 3.5% for registered land since January 2026, plus a further 10% VAT on those fees. Glenn refers buyers to licensed Bahamian attorneys with direct experience of the specific condo development being purchased.

Yes, entirely. A notarised power of attorney grants your Bahamian attorney authority to sign and execute every document on your behalf - the Agreement for Sale, Deed of Conveyance, and all Investment Board registration paperwork. The POA should carry an apostille stamp under the Hague Convention. Glenn manages the full remote condo purchase process: current MLS listings and cost breakdown by email or WhatsApp, video walk-throughs of shortlisted units, attorney referrals, deposit guidance, and closing timeline management. More than half of Glenn's condo transactions in any given year complete without the buyer visiting Nassau. Full details at the remote purchase guide.

Before making any offer, Glenn obtains and reviews: (1) the current HOA maintenance fee and full itemisation of what it covers; (2) the most recent HOA financial statements and reserve fund balance; (3) the short-term rental policy - whether STR is permitted and any minimum stay requirements; (4) rental programme terms and revenue split if a managed rental pool exists; (5) any pending special assessments or known major building repairs; (6) the strata title documentation confirming the specific unit has individual registered title. For managed pool condos such as Reef Atlantis, the programme takes approximately 55% of gross rental revenue. For owner-controlled condos such as Palm Cay One Marina and One Ocean, the owner retains 100% of rental income minus any chosen management fee.

Yes for qualifying purchases. Condo purchases at $1,000,000 or above (EPR minimum effective January 1, 2025) qualify for Economic Permanent Residency application under the Bahamas Investment Act. The EPR is available on any Bahamas island - Nassau, Paradise Island, Cable Beach, Palm Cay, Eleuthera, Exuma, Abaco. Government fee: $20,000 standard or $25,000 with right to work. Typical processing: 3-6 months. Purchases at $1.5M or above access the accelerated track with approvals typically within approximately 3 weeks. EPR grants indefinite right of residence, no income tax on worldwide income, no minimum days required, and spouses and dependent children under 18 included at $300 per person. Glenn files the EPR application concurrently with the condo purchase closing - no separate immigration firm required. Full details at the EPR residency guide.

The government registration requirement differs. For personal use: post-closing Bahamas Investment Board registration only ($25 USD) - no prior government approval needed. For rental use (any short or long-term rental): a Bahamas Investment Authority permit ($500 USD) is required before the transaction closes. The rental income tax position is the same for both: zero Bahamian income tax on rental proceeds for non-resident owners. Annual Real Property Tax for non-owner-occupied condos is 1% on the first $500,000 of assessed value and 2% above, capped at $150,000 annually under the Real Property Tax Amendment Act No. 43 of 2025. STR owners remit 10% VAT on nightly rates quarterly. The HOA rental policy also determines whether a specific condo can actually be rented - Glenn confirms this before any shortlist is prepared.