Engel & Völkers announced it has opened its newest real estate shop in The Bahamas, the international real estate company’s third shop in the Caribbean.

The expansion comes as the result of a union with Bahamas Waterfront Properties, a real estate brokerage specializing in luxury beachfront and waterfront properties.

The newly established Engel & Völkers location in The Bahamas will be led by license partner Colin Lightbourn and will serve the markets of Nassau/Paradise Island, Abaco Cays, The Exumas, and Eleuthera/Harbor Island.

“The Bahamas is a significant market of interest for international buyers and investors and one that will greatly benefit from the strong referral network Engel & Völkers affords in the Americas and Europe specifically,” said Anthony Hitt, CEO, Engel & Völkers North America.

“Colin and his experienced team are ideal partners to strengthen Engel & Völkers’ expansion in the Caribbean given their next generation mindset and their intimate knowledge of the marketplace’s benefits and appeal, especially for high-end buyers.”

As part of this announcement, Abaco Cays Realty Ltd. will also become part of the Engel & Völkers Bahamas shop to widen the brokerage’s comprehensive service in The Bahamas real estate market.

“The decision to join Colin and become part of Engel & Völkers was an easy one,” said Chris Plummer, co-founder of the former Abaco Cays Realty and current real estate advisor with Engel & Völkers Bahamas.

“My family has been involved in building The Bahamas real estate market for three generations, and our investment in Engel & Völkers is an investment in the future of real estate here. Working as part of an internationally recognized network will bring maximum exposure to our listings to help us secure only the most qualified, quality leads, listing clients and buyers. It’s time to bring Bahamian realty into the 21st century, and Engel & Völkers is the clear partner to do just that.”

Engel & Völkers Bahamas, with a main office centrally located at 1 Bay Street, will provide leading real estate services for buyers and sellers from all over the world who are drawn to The Bahamas for its investment opportunities and status as a desired vacation destination.

“The Bahamas are a prime destination for those looking for second home destinations, but there is also a strong vacation rental industry on many islands, and more locals are starting to invest in that market,” said Lightbourn.

“In addition to the pink sand beaches of Eleuthera and the crystal clear waters of The Exuma Cays, property in The Bahamas is a viable investment opportunity for people from around the world, appealing for its regulatory policies, stable government and daily flights to and from the United States.

As the market here continues to grow and evolve, partnering with Engel & Völkers was a natural choice given its worldwide brand recognition and extensive global network.”

Engel & Völkers operates a global network of more than 9,000 real estate advisors in 33 countries. For more information, visit Engel & Völkers Bahamas.

About Engel & Völkers
Since its beginning in 1977 as a specialty boutique providing exclusive, high-end real estate services in Hamburg, Germany, Engel & Völkers has become one of the world’s leading companies specializing in the sale and lease of premium residential and commercial property, yachts and private aviation. Engel & Völkers currently operates a global network of over 9,000 real estate advisors spanning 33 countries, offering both private and institutional clients a professionally tailored range of luxury services. It established its North America corporate headquarters in 2007 and opened its first brokerage in the same year. Committed to exceptional service, Engel & Völkers supports its advisors with an array of premium quality business services; marketing programs and tools; multiple platforms for mobile, social and web; as well as access to its global network of real estate professionals, property listings, and market data. Engel & Völkers is an active supporter of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each brokerage is independently owned and operated.