Find Condos For Sale In The Bahamas — Free Buyer Quiz by Glenn Ferguson, Nassau Real Estate Specialist

Yes. The Bahamas imposes no nationality restrictions on real estate ownership. Citizens from any country, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and the European Union, may purchase a condo outright in freehold title. Foreign buyers must register their purchase with the Bahamas Investments Board, a routine administrative step completed by your local attorney. There are no quotas, no prior approval requirements and no restrictions on the type or value of property you can buy.

Nassau condo prices vary widely by location and development. Entry-level condos in communities such as Cave Heights start from approximately $200,000 to $350,000. Two-bedroom beachfront units at Cable Beach developments, including Goldwynn Residences and One Cable Beach, range from $700,000 to $1.5 million. Luxury resort-branded residences at Albany, Baha Mar and Ocean Club Four Seasons on Paradise Island begin at $1.5 million and can exceed $10 million for penthouse units. New pre-construction inventory at Bayroc currently offers competitive pricing relative to projected completion value.

Yes. Under Bahamian law, a licensed local attorney must handle the conveyancing, the legal transfer of title from seller to buyer. Your attorney conducts the title search going back a minimum of thirty years, prepares the sale and purchase agreement, manages stamp duty payment and registers your ownership with the Registrar General’s Department. Attorney fees are typically 2.5% of the purchase price for properties under $500,000, reducing to 1.5%–2% for higher-value transactions. Both buyer and seller engage separate attorneys.

The Bahamas applies VAT to real estate transfers, split equally between buyer and seller. The buyer’s share is approximately: 1.25% on properties up to $100,000; 2% on $100,001–$300,000; 3% on $300,001–$500,000; 4% on $500,001–$700,000; and 5% above $700,000. The seller pays an equal share. These rates are set by the Bahamas Government and are subject to change. Always confirm current rates with your Bahamian conveyancing attorney before signing.

Yes, but financing options for foreign nationals are limited compared to domestic buyers. A small number of Bahamian banks offer mortgages to non-residents, typically at loan-to-value ratios of 50%–60% of the purchase price, at interest rates of approximately 6%–8.5% per annum (as of 2025). Most foreign buyers purchase with cash or source financing in their home country using existing assets as collateral, which is generally faster and more cost-effective. Some new developments offer developer financing on pre-construction units.

Effective 1 January 2025, the Bahamas Government increased the minimum qualifying investment for Economic Permanent Residency (EPR) from $750,000 to $1,000,000 USD. Foreign nationals who purchase real estate in the Bahamas valued at $1,000,000 or more are eligible to apply for EPR. Buyers who invest $1,500,000 or more qualify for the accelerated review option, which typically receives priority processing. EPR holders must maintain ownership of the property for a minimum of 10 years, spend at least 90 cumulative days per year in the Bahamas, and file a declaration every 10 years. The government application fee is $20,000, plus $300 per endorsed dependent. The Bahamas has no income tax, no capital gains tax and no inheritance tax, making EPR particularly valuable for high-income earners and retirees.

Owner-occupied residential properties: the first $250,000 of market value is exempt; $250,001–$500,000 is taxed at 0.75% per annum; above $500,000 at 1% per annum. For non-owner-occupied investment or rental condos: 0.75% on the first $500,000 of market value; 2% per annum above $500,000. There is no capital gains tax and no inheritance tax in the Bahamas. Tax is assessed and billed annually by the Real Property Tax Administration.

Yes. Foreign owners may legally rent their Bahamas condo on a short-term basis, subject to registering with the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation as a vacation rental operator and collecting VAT on rental income above the annual threshold. Some condo developments, particularly resort-integrated properties at Baha Mar, Atlantis and Albany, offer managed rental programmes that handle licensing, VAT compliance, marketing and guest management on your behalf. Rental yields on beachfront properties in Nassau range from approximately 5% to 10% per annum gross, depending on location, furnishing and management.

Monthly HOA or strata fees on Nassau condos vary significantly by development. Entry-level community buildings typically charge $200–$500 per month. Mid-range beachfront and gated communities such as Palm Cay average $600–$1,200 per month. Luxury and resort-integrated properties, including Baha Mar, Goldwynn, Albany and Ocean Club Four Seasons, charge $1,500–$5,000 or more per month, reflecting concierge services, pools, beach attendants and 24-hour security. Always request two years of audited accounts and review the reserve fund before committing to purchase.

Purchase funds are wired in USD directly to your Bahamian attorney’s client escrow account at a licensed Bahamian bank. The Bahamas dollar is pegged 1:1 to the US dollar, so USD is accepted for all real estate transactions. Your attorney will provide wire instructions after the purchase agreement is signed and the due diligence period is satisfied. For non-USD transactions, specialist currency services can save 0.5%–2% over bank rates. All funds must come from a documented, legitimate source, your attorney is required under Bahamian AML law to verify the origin of all purchase funds.

Title insurance is available in the Bahamas, though less common than in North America. Your attorney will conduct a full title search going back at least thirty years, typically to the original Crown Grant, to verify clear, marketable title before you purchase. For established condominium developments this provides adequate protection in most cases. Title insurance is more commonly recommended for vacant land, older properties with fragmented ownership history, or transactions where the full chain of title cannot be clearly established. Discuss this with your Bahamian attorney, who can advise based on the specific property.

Yes. Remote purchases are legally valid in the Bahamas. Your attorney can conduct all legal work without your physical presence, and documents requiring your signature can be executed remotely and apostilled in your home country. Glenn provides virtual property tours, detailed video walkthroughs and written condition reports so buyers can make informed decisions from anywhere in the world. Many international buyers complete their entire Bahamas purchase without visiting until after closing. That said, visiting to view your shortlisted units before signing is always recommended where possible.

The Bahamas has no inheritance tax, no estate duty and no death duties of any kind. Your Bahamas property passes according to your will. Foreign owners are strongly advised to execute a separate Bahamian will dealing specifically with their Bahamas real estate, even if they have a valid will in their home country. A Bahamian will avoids the delay and cost of having a foreign grant of probate resealed in the Bahamas, which can take 12–24 months. Your conveyancing attorney can prepare a simple Bahamian will at the time of purchase for a modest additional fee.

The vast majority of Bahamas condominiums are sold under the Condominium Act, which grants the buyer freehold ownership of their individual unit plus an undivided share in the common areas, lobbies, pools, gardens and parking. You own your unit outright, with no time limit, and can sell, lease, mortgage or bequeath it freely. A small number of older properties use long leasehold arrangements (typically 99 years), which are less desirable for buyers seeking permanent ownership. Always confirm a condo is registered under the Bahamas Condominium Act before purchasing, and check the remaining lease term if a leasehold arrangement is in place.