# Vacant Land in the Bahamas **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 29, 2015, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vacant-land-in-the-bahamas/741629 "2015-12-29T09:24:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2015, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vacant-land-in-the-bahamas/741629/21 "2015-12-31T12:51:54Z")
Leasing - I dunno - put an ad in a newspaper? Craigslist? Neighbors - In the US you can see the plat book at the county courthouse - no clue how to do it in the Bahamas. Brian ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2015, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vacant-land-in-the-bahamas/741629/22 "2015-12-31T13:27:56Z")
A couple of questions for the OP: 1. How desirable is the land - meaning how large is it? Are there any restrictions that would make it unbuildable? Access to utilities? Etc. That would decide who your potential buyers are. 2. In the Bahamas, how easy is it to do up the legal paperwork yourself? Here in the states for raw land most people could write up a quit claim themselves and file it with the county. I’ve even done it myself. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2015, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vacant-land-in-the-bahamas/741629/23 "2015-12-31T13:53:14Z")
My thought is that surely they can’t force you to continue owning this property; there should be some formal means of relinquishing title. I would contact the jurisdiction that sends you the property tax bills, and ask them. ETA: Looks like I was ninja’d by **Saint Cad**. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2015, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vacant-land-in-the-bahamas/741629/24 "2015-12-31T15:17:59Z")
Who sold you the property? I’d start with him/her and discuss giving it back. ---
**Author:** ![Newtosite](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/newtosite/32/8623_2.png) [@Newtosite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Newtosite)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2016, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vacant-land-in-the-bahamas/741629/25 "2016-01-01T15:23:16Z")
Thanks, everyone. I inherited the property in 1980, and I don’t know the answers to the questions you’ve raised. We paid a Bahamas probate attorney when I inherited it, plus yearly taxes all this time. It’s zoned for residential. Interestingly, the realtor whose fees I mentioned emailed me to say someone contacted him who’s interested in a cheap lot, and is willing to pay all the fees. I said he could have the property for $500, but I haven’t heard back. Fingers crossed! If the sale doesn’t materialize, I will contact the jurisdiction, and hope I receive answers I can understand. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2016, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vacant-land-in-the-bahamas/741629/26 "2016-01-02T02:28:38Z")
Wait? You don’t know how big the property is, where it is located or anything like that? Sounds odd. ---
**Author:** ![coremelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2016, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vacant-land-in-the-bahamas/741629/27 "2016-01-02T03:44:54Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Wait? You don’t know how big the property is, where it is located or anything like that? Sounds odd. Sounds to me like hes never actually visited it and seen the lot. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2016, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vacant-land-in-the-bahamas/741629/28 "2016-01-02T05:06:51Z")
> [@coremelt](#): > > Sounds to me like hes never actually visited it and seen the lot. Yeah but no information whatsoever? I know Bahamian law is different than US law but my property tax bill has assessor value, size of land, legal description at least. We have a lot of Brits on this board. What info do they get in their tax bill? ---
**Author:** ![coremelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2016, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vacant-land-in-the-bahamas/741629/29 "2016-01-02T06:08:16Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Yeah but no information whatsoever? I know Bahamian law is different than US law but my property tax bill has assessor value, size of land, legal description at least. We have a lot of Brits on this board. What info do they get in their tax bill? As mentioned I own some vacant land in Australia and all of that stuff is available online by doing a search using the property title number. I’d suggest the OP should start here and do some additional research: > **[The Government of The Bahamas](http://govnet.bs/)** ---
**Author:** ![Newtosite](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/newtosite/32/8623_2.png) [@Newtosite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Newtosite)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2016, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vacant-land-in-the-bahamas/741629/30 "2016-01-02T07:36:06Z")
Cornmelt, I emailed my questions to the address you provided. Thanks so much for that! The assessor value is $3K. The property is located in the Bahamas Sound Subdivision No. 4, Exuma. The size is 10,000 sq. ft. (it’s not on the tax bill, but I found this info in my notes). ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2016, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vacant-land-in-the-bahamas/741629/31 "2016-01-02T07:54:22Z")
[Awesome … and then some](http://www.bahamasound.com/documents.html) ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2016, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vacant-land-in-the-bahamas/741629/32 "2016-01-02T08:01:09Z")
And the [google maps](https://www.google.com/maps/@23.5842742,-75.9007901,7320m/data=!3m1!1e3) ---
**Author:** ![coremelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2016, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vacant-land-in-the-bahamas/741629/33 "2016-01-02T08:48:19Z")
Yep according to that website there is no water supply or sewage on the lot. I imagine no electricity either. And with the cost of importing food you’d need to be pretty well off to build and live in an off the grid shack there. And if you’re that well off you can afford a beachfront lot there. ---
**Author:** ![Newtosite](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/newtosite/32/8623_2.png) [@Newtosite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Newtosite)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2016, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vacant-land-in-the-bahamas/741629/34 "2016-01-02T16:49:16Z")
You guys have done more research on it than I have! I appreciate it very much. Evidently it’s not just sand…I must have confused it with the other property I inherited at the same time (ten acres of California desert). ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2016, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vacant-land-in-the-bahamas/741629/35 "2016-01-02T18:33:55Z")
All we need now is a lot number and a plat map and you’re set. ---
**Author:** ![Section\_Maker\_Jupe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/section_maker_jupe/32/1424_2.png) [@Section\_Maker\_Jupe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Section_Maker_Jupe)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2016, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vacant-land-in-the-bahamas/741629/36 "2016-01-03T05:18:18Z")
Surfers Camp for the Bahamas!! Solar Farm and Rockhounds Retreat for the desert!(aka gold hunting)🆒 Hope the properties work out for you. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2016, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vacant-land-in-the-bahamas/741629/37 "2016-01-03T18:23:51Z")
Here is an example of what you are getting as a 10,000 sq ft Bahamas Sound lot. Good luck! > **[Bahamas Real Estate on For Sale - ID 3430](https://www.coldwellbankerbahamas.com/listing-bahama-sound-6-3430.html)** > > Search Bahamas real estate on and view ID 3430. For all Bahamas property for sale, contact Coldwell Banker Lightbourn Realty, the most trusted name in property. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2016, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vacant-land-in-the-bahamas/741629/38 "2016-01-03T18:30:54Z")
nm ---
**Author:** ![Newtosite](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/newtosite/32/8623_2.png) [@Newtosite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Newtosite)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2016, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vacant-land-in-the-bahamas/741629/39 "2016-01-03T23:15:00Z")
Thanks again, everyone! Okay. The realtor found someone who’ll pay me $500 for it, and they’ll pay all closing costs. I’m gonna do it. :eek: Astro, this is the same realtor that’s in the example you found. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vacant-land-in-the-bahamas/741629.md?page=1)