Why Abaco Keeps Pulling in a New Kind of Buyer

Lucía Torres · 2026-11-04

World-class boating, diving, and easy international access have turned The Bahamas into a magnet for luxury buyers. The Agency now runs offices in both Abaco and Nassau to keep pace with that demand. We sat down with Scott Ferguson, Managing Director of The Agency Abaco, to talk about where the opportunities sit and what a buyer should really know before writing an offer on this idyllic island setting. ### Who's Buying in Abaco Right Now The U.S. is still the biggest source of buyers, especially Florida, the Carolinas, and the Southeast. Interest keeps flowing in from Texas, Canada, and the U.K. too. What's actually shifted is how close Abaco feels to people today. More private aviation, better airlift, and bigger boats that can cross the Gulf Stream have made the Abacos an easy place to reach. South Florida matters most here, simply because Abaco sits so close. For plenty of buyers, getting to Abaco is easier than driving to another corner of Florida. That proximity, paired with the boating and fishing lifestyle, makes it a natural extension of South Florida for second-home owners. Something else is happening. Buyers are discovering Abaco younger. In the past, someone might vacation here for years before finally buying. Now they show up already hunting for a way into the community. That trend has grown sharper as Florida has gotten more crowded and more expensive since Covid. ### Lifestyle Comes First, the House Comes Second Buyers today care deeply about how a property fits their life. Sure, they still notice the finishes and the view. But the first questions are different: Where's my boat? How fast can I get on the water? Can I walk to the beach? Will my family and friends be comfortable staying with us? Boating access has always mattered in Abaco. It matters more than ever now. Deep-water docks, protected slips, boat lifts, and quick access to the Sea of Abaco can swing a property's desirability in a big way. > "Buyers today are much more focused on how a property fits into their lifestyle. They still care about the house, the finishes, and the view, but increasingly the first questions are: Where is my boat?" Vacation-rental potential has moved up the list too. Abaco runs a strong rental market, particularly for high-quality waterfront and boating-oriented homes. The better properties can pull rental demand for 35 to 40 weeks of the year. That lets an owner enjoy an exceptional second home and still earn meaningful rental income during the weeks they're away. For a lot of buyers, that combination is hard to beat. ### What First-Timers Need to Know Before Making an Offer Buying in The Bahamas is very achievable for international purchasers. The key is having the right local team around you from the start. That means an experienced Bahamian real estate agent, a solid local attorney, and, depending on the property, the right surveyors and inspectors involved early. Financing exists, though many deals, especially at the luxury end, are cash purchases. Before making an offer, buyers should get comfortable with transaction costs, VAT, and the legal process. That way they can size up the full cost of acquisition, not just the purchase price. Due diligence carries extra weight with island property. Beyond the home itself, look closely at: - Elevations and construction quality - Docks and seawalls - Utilities, generators, and water systems - Insurance considerations - Boating access One last piece of advice: don't try to understand Abaco entirely from a spreadsheet. Spend time here. Get on a boat. Visit the different cays and communities. Abaco is incredibly diverse, and finding the right fit takes more than a quick glance at the numbers.