FAQ Bahamas Real Estate Investment Guide (Part 2) Bahamas vs Dubai, Portugal & USA | Real Estate Comparison
Liquidity & Resale
Can I resell my property or land?
Absolutely. It is “Free Hold” property that can be resold at any time. There are no restrictions or holding periods (except for Permanent Residency: 10 years).
How long does a sale typically take?
Normally, you should plan for three to six months for a sale. We have a list of pre-registered clients and work with various brokers who are happy to sell your property.
Is there an active resale market?
Absolutely. There is an acute housing shortage in Freeport. Reason: The container port and cruise destination employ many workers, especially expats. They are looking for quality in the best locations – both for rent and purchase. The market for high-quality real estate is very active.
Bahamas vs. Other Destinations
Why Bahamas and not Dubai?
Bahamas Advantages:
- True tax freedom WITHOUT substance requirements (no “real office”, no local employees needed)
- No banking odyssey through compliance hurdles
- No reputation risk with international business partners
- 30-minute flight to Florida instead of 14+ hours
- Significantly lower cost of living
- Family-friendly climate (no 50°C in summer)
Dubai Disadvantages:
- Substance requirements exploding
- Banking becoming increasingly difficult
- Greater cultural and legal differences
- No Western legal security
- Extreme heat, increasing social control
Why Bahamas and not Portugal?
Bahamas Advantages:
- Complete tax freedom (Portugal: NHR only 10 years now, continuously reduced)
- Golden Visa effectively abolished for real estate
- No EU bureaucracy and CRS data exchange
- Real estate prices not overheated (Lisbon = Munich price level)
- Clear Residency path from $1M
Portugal Disadvantages:
- Tax benefits continuously reduced
- Real estate market massively overheated
- Extreme bureaucracy (worse than Germany)
- Weak economy, unclear prospects
Why Bahamas and not USA (Florida)?
Bahamas Advantages:
- True tax freedom (USA: Federal Taxes remain, Estate Tax up to 40%)
- Clear Residency path (USA: EB-5 costs $1.8M, complex visa situation)
- US proximity WITHOUT US tax jurisdiction
- Same time zone, USD currency, but offshore
- No political uncertainty
USA Disadvantages:
- No true tax freedom
- IRS reporting, FATCA, worldwide taxation
- Estate Tax risk for non-US citizens
- Complex immigration
Why Bahamas and not Cayman Islands?
Bahamas Advantages:
- Real estate entry from $250k (Cayman: from $2-3M)
- Cost of living 50-70% lower
- Greater choice (365 islands vs. small, isolated community)
- More family-friendly, “normal” life possible
Cayman Advantages:
- Also tax-free and stable
- Excellent infrastructure
- But: Only affordable for Ultra High Net Worth Individuals
Bahamas MLS & Property Search
Why are many online listings no longer available?
This is the biggest problem of the Bahamas Multiple Listing Service (BMLS). A property is only marked as “sold” when the transaction has been notarized. This process takes 6-12 months. During this time, the property remains listed as “active” and “available.”
The result: A significant portion of online visible offers are “ghost listings” – properties that already have a buyer and are just waiting for bureaucratic completion.
How do I find my real dream home then?
The CARE Strategy:
- Use MLS as inspiration: Browse listings to get a feel for the market, prices, and locations. Create a list of your favorites.
- Fall in love with the idea, not the listing: The specific villa online may already be gone. Use it as a template for what you’re looking for.
- Talk to a market expert: This is the crucial step. An experienced professional like CPH Invest can immediately tell you which properties are actually available.
What is CPH Investment Group’s advantage with the MLS problem?
We know the real availability status of all properties through our network. Additionally, we have access to off-market deals that are not yet listed in the MLS. Our Discovery Experience shows you only truly available properties – no ghost listings.
Consulting Process & Pricing
What does an initial consultation cost?
The Discovery Call is completely free. Here we can discuss your situation and clarify whether the Bahamas is the right choice for you.
What is the “Ask Me Anything” Strategy Session?
The comprehensive Strategy Session costs $499 and lasts 60-90 minutes. Here we analyze your individual situation in detail and develop a customized strategy for your offshore structure, real estate investment, and residency planning.
What happens after the Strategy Session?
You receive a written summary with individual recommendations for your next steps. Important: No sales pressure, no follow-up. You can reach out to us anytime, whenever and however you want. Our clients especially appreciate this.
Bahamas Discovery Experience
What is the Bahamas Discovery Experience?
A customized trip to Grand Bahama where you personally tour the best real estate projects with Christoph Albeck, get to know the banking system, and experience the Bahamas as a life center.
What Discovery packages are available?
Level 1: Bahamas Explorer ($2,997)
- Ideal for: Digital nomads, high income, target wealth up to $1M
- 2 days / 1 night
- 90 min. strategy session with Christoph
- 3-4 real estate projects
- 1 night 3★ hotel, airport transfer
- Telegram group access
- 50% Setup Discount (save $4,400 on Silver Package)
Level 2: Bahamas Immersion ($4,997) ⭐ MOST POPULAR CHOICE
- Ideal for: Entrepreneurs, wealth $1-5M
- 3 days / 2 nights
- 3 hrs. comprehensive strategy session
- 6-8 premium real estate projects
- 2 nights 4★ hotel + private driver
- 2-hour boat excursion with SeaBeast One
- CARE VIP Community access
- 50% Setup Discount (save $9,900 on Gold Package)
Level 3: VIP Intensive ($7,997)
- Ideal for: UHNWI, wealth over $5M, Concierge Service
- 5 days / 4 nights
- Full-day 1-on-1 consultation
- 10+ top properties incl. off-market
- 4 nights 5★ hotel + luxury limousine
- 5-hour boat excursion with SeaBeast One
- Premium banking & top-tier attorneys
- CARE Inner Circle + Concierge
- 50% Setup Discount (save $19,250 on Platinum Package)