Informational Sellers Guide

A Bahamas Government stamp tax is charged on all real estate sales or transfers. Governed by the Stamp Tax Act, this tax is split between the buyer and the seller unless otherwise specified or agreed to by both parties. The amount of the tax varies as follows:

• Up to and including $20,000 – 2%
• $20,000.01 to $50,000 – 4%
• $50,000.01 to $100,000 – 6%
• $100,000.01 to $250,000 – 8%
• $250,000.01 and over – 10%

Real estate commissions as established by the Bahamas Real Estate Association are as follows:

• Undeveloped land – 10%
• Developed property (homes, condos) – 6%
Bahamas Bar Association legal fees in respect of the sale and purchase of real estate and the scale fees are:
• 2 ½ % of sale price

These are the main costs in buying and selling real estate. Other costs may –but not necessarily - include converting from Bahamian to U.S. currency and vice versa, and appraisal and surveying fees.