Nassau, The Bahamas – In the recently published 2023 Chambers Global Practice Guide on Real Estate in The Bahamas, GrahamThompson Partners Alistair Chisnall and Erica Paine underscore a prevailing ‘wait and see’ approach as real estate activity abated in recent months, amid economic uncertainties associated with “rising inflation and the fears of a recession, coupled with stock market volatility and the drop in cryptocurrency values”. This follows a 2021 to 2022 span characterised as “one of the greatest and most aggressive” real estate market rebounds seen in The Bahamas. Following losses due to Hurricane Dorian (2019) and the global shutdowns of the COVID 19 pandemic.
Main Market Trends
The authors also review recent impacts of “Disruptive Technologies” on the sector. Most notably the fallout following the 2022 FTX collapse. The Global Practice Guide provides key insights on the sector’s main market trends and deals, including proposals for legislative reform. It also provides a comprehensive guide on the law and practice of Real Estate in The Bahamas.
Guide Content
The Guide additionally covers a wide range of subject areas essential to the real estate practice in The Bahamas. Including:
- Sale and Purchase
- Real Estate Finance
- Planning and Zoning
- Investment Vehicles
- Commercial Leases
- Construction
- Tax
Chambers and Partners practice guides are recognised as “definitive global law guides offering comparative analysis from top-ranked lawyers”.
Where to Find the Guide
An online version of the 2023 Bahamas Real Estate Guide can be accessed on the Chambers and Partners website, via this link, https://practiceguides.chambers.com/practice-guides/real-estate-2023/the-bahamas.
You may also download a PDF copy of the Guide here, Real Estate 2023: Law and Practice in The Bahamas.
GrahamThompson is a top-ranked law firm, with a Band 1 ranking in Chambers and Partners’ Global rankings in General Business Law. The firm also holds the top Band 1 ranking in the High Net Worth (HNW) Offshore Trusts Sector.
Alistair Chisnall is a partner in Graham Thompson’s commercial and property practice group, and specialises in real estate, sales and structuring for high-end private client matters and large commercial transactions. His practice covers mortgage-backed financing and loans, title due diligence and opinions, title insurance, subdivision and development planning, resort development and operation, commercial and residential leases, and related tax and regulatory matters. He and the team represent owners and operators, ranging from family businesses and boutique resorts to the largest commercial enterprises, local banks, and hotel and casino operators in The Bahamas, including Atlantis Resort Paradise Island and Baha Mar Resort & Casino. Alistair is a government-appointed member of the National Land Reform Committee. Alistair is also a Chambers and Partners ranked attorney, for his work in Real Estate.
Erica Paine is a partner in Graham Thompson’s commercial and property practice group, and specialises in real estate transactions, conveyancing, sales and structuring both high-end and private client matters and large commercial transactions. Her practice covers condominium law, resort hotel and marina ownership and operations, mixed-use and residential projects, time share and fractional ownership arrangements, easements, title insurance, service charges, mortgage-backed financing and loans, property due diligence, commercial and residential leases and all related tax matters and issues, together with advising on and applying for all governmental or Grand Bahama Port Authority approvals.