Can I Buy Property
in the Bahamas
Remotely?

Yes, entirely. Bahamas property purchases can be completed from any country through a notarised power of attorney granted to your Bahamian attorney. The attorney signs every document on your behalf - the Agreement for Sale, the Deed of Conveyance, and all Investment Board registration paperwork. No travel to Nassau is required at any stage. Glenn Ferguson has managed remote purchases for buyers from the US, UK, Canada, Europe, and beyond where all steps from initial shortlist to registered deed were completed without the buyer setting foot in Nassau. Contact Glenn at +1-242-395-8495 to start the process.

A power of attorney (POA) is a notarised legal document that grants your Bahamian attorney authority to sign contracts, execute the Deed of Conveyance, remit government taxes, and complete every legal step of the property transaction on your behalf. You sign the POA at a notary public or solicitor in your home country. The POA should carry an apostille stamp under the Hague Convention to ensure international recognition in the Bahamas - your local notary will confirm whether this is required in your specific jurisdiction. The POA is typically scoped to this transaction only, so your attorney's authority ends when the title registration is complete. Your attorney will provide a form of POA appropriate for the specific transaction type.

From accepted offer to registered deed, the standard Bahamas property transaction closes in 30 to 90 days. The title search and conveyance preparation are the pacing factors. For Nassau and Paradise Island condos with clean title histories, transactions often close toward the 30-60 day end of the range. For Out Island properties with longer or more complex title histories, 60-90 days is more typical. If a Bahamas Investment Authority permit is required before closing - for rental-use properties or properties over 2 acres - allow additional time for the permit application. Glenn discusses realistic timeline expectations before any offer is prepared.

It depends on the property and intended use. Under the International Persons Landholding Act (1994), foreigners can purchase residential property under 2 acres for personal use without prior government approval - they simply register the purchase with the Bahamas Investment Board after closing ($25 USD). A Bahamas Investment Authority permit required before closing applies to: properties exceeding 2 acres, properties intended for rental use (short or long-term), and commercial properties. For most Nassau and Paradise Island condo purchases in residential buildings - whether at One Ocean, Aqualina, or Baha Mar - the post-closing registration applies for personal use. Your attorney confirms which requirement applies before any offer is made.

The closing costs are identical for remote and in-person purchases. Total buyer-side costs typically run 8% to 11% above the purchase price: a flat 10% government VAT on conveyance - the most significant cost, applied to the full purchase price for all buyers at the same rate regardless of nationality; legal fees of 2.5% to 3.5% of the purchase price plus a further 10% VAT on those fees; and title search and disbursements of $2,000 to $4,000. A 10% deposit is typically wired into attorney escrow on acceptance of the Agreement for Sale. Glenn provides a full personalised cost breakdown - showing every line item at the specific purchase price - before any offer is prepared. For full annual holding cost detail, see the Bahamas property tax guide.

Yes. Bahamian banks and financial institutions offer USD-denominated mortgage financing to non-resident international buyers. Non-resident mortgage terms typically include a higher minimum down payment than local buyer mortgages, shorter loan terms, and a more thorough financial qualification process. Lenders typically offer up to 70% loan-to-value for qualifying properties under $1.5M. The Bahamian dollar maintains a 1:1 peg to the USD, eliminating currency exchange risk for USD borrowers. In practice, most international buyers of Nassau and Paradise Island condos complete with cash or international financing rather than local Bahamian mortgages, but local mortgage options exist and Glenn can refer buyers to local lending contacts if required.

Yes. The purchase method - remote by power of attorney or in person - does not affect EPR eligibility in any way. Qualifying purchases at $1,000,000 or above (EPR minimum effective January 1, 2025) qualify for Economic Permanent Residency under the Bahamas Investment Act regardless of whether the buyer travelled to Nassau. The EPR application is a separate process filed with the Department of Immigration and can be managed entirely remotely alongside the purchase. Glenn files the EPR application concurrently with the property purchase closing - neither process requires a Nassau visit. Full details at the Bahamas EPR guide.