A Freeport realtor gave an overview of ‘10 great reasons to buy real estate in the Bahamas’ during last week’s Bahamas International Business & Investment Forum (BIBIF).

The presentation by James Sarles, president of Coldwell Banker James Sarles Realty, highlighted:

• The Bahamas’ welcoming philosophy and ‘no red tape’ approach towards international investors

• The many tax-free advantages of no income tax, no personal tax, no sales tax, and, in Freeport, no property tax

• Legal residence opportunities associated with becoming an investor of $500,000 or more in the Bahamas

• The country’s longtime stable democracy

• The wide variety of available and affordable real estate

• Financing opportunities and resources available in the Bahamas

• The key geographical location and close proximity to the US

• The warm, welcoming people of the Bahamas

• Unprecedented opportunities for investing in single family homes, condominiums and commercial real estate

• The quality of life and natural abundance that the clear Bahamian waters, and commitment to sustaining them, holds.

Other executives at the conference spoke about the potential for development of maritime and logistics industries, opportunities in banking and financial services, tourism, business services, energy, agriculture, manufacturing and the knowledge economy.

Business leaders from 27 countries were also reminded of what a natural, state-of-the-art gateway the Bahamas offers to the eastern seaboard of North, South and Central America, and to the Caribbean.

Mr Sarles’ presentation on the panel with Minister of Tourism, Obie Wilchombe, underscored the Bahamas’ as a platform for a wide variety of domestic and international businesses, and a location for second home ownership.

L To R: Frank Comito, executive vice-president, Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA); Magnus Alnebeck, general manager, Pelican Bay; Obie Wilchcombe, minister of tourism; James Sarles, broker, Coldwell Banker James Sarles Realty; Stuart Bowe senior vice-president, Kerzner International