Canadian Snowbirds Head North as U.S. Relations Sour
This spring, a notable uptick in property listings from Canadian homeowners is pointing to a major shift in sentiment, fueled by political tensions, economic uncertainties, and changing U.S. immigration policies. Realtors across sunbelt states report a surge in Canadian clients looking to sell off their American vacation properties. The trend is already contributing to a softening of property prices in these popular destinations. Once seen as a reliable boost to local economies, these seasonal residents are now rethinking their ties to the U.S.Canadians Lead Foreign Spending on U.S. Property
From April 2023 to March 2024, Canadians topped the charts for foreign real estate purchases in the United States, spending close to $6 billion—accounting for 13% of all international transactions. Nearly half of these homes were vacation properties, primarily located in Florida, Arizona, and Hawaii. But many buyers are now reversing course. Tracy and Dale McMullen, a couple from Alberta, recently sold their home in Buckeye, Arizona after five years. “We decided to sell the property after the current POTUS took office,” said Dale, referencing President Donald Trump’s second inauguration in January. “It was time to leave. We no longer felt welcome or safe.”Political Frictions Fuel Exodus
Tensions between Canada and the U.S. have worsened, with Trump’s administration imposing new trade tariffs, attacking Canadian leadership, and even making inflammatory remarks suggesting Canada become a U.S. state. These actions have bruised Canadian pride and triggered a broader backlash—boycotting U.S. goods, canceling trips, and now, selling homes.Canadian return flights from the U.S. dropped 13.5% in March compared to a year prior. Meanwhile, car travel saw an even steeper 32% decline, according to Statistics Canada. The property market is feeling the ripple effect. Laurie Lavine, a realtor in Arizona, said he currently has 18 Canadian listings—far above his typical 2 to 4 per quarter. Factors such as rising insurance premiums, a weak Canadian dollar, and tighter U.S. border regulations are all playing a role.New Entry Rules Deter Long-Term Visits
As of this month, the Trump administration has rolled out a new policy requiring all foreign visitors aged 14 and older to register and submit fingerprints if staying longer than 30 days. Canadians, who once enjoyed six-month visa-free visits, are now caught in this sweeping mandate.“Canadians feel unfairly targeted,” Lavine added. Many are simply opting out of the hassle.Florida Faces the Biggest Impact
Florida, a favored destination for Canadian retirees—especially from Ontario and Quebec—is experiencing a stark pullback. “South Florida’s residential market has long depended on Canadian snowbirds,” said Ermengarde Jabir, an economist at Moody’s Analytics.Andrea Hartmann of the Sandy Hartmann Group in Tampa Bay noted that her firm hasn’t received a single Canadian offer this year. Typically, the first quarter sees a rush of snowbird interest.Already dealing with rising costs, hurricane fallout, and climate concerns, Florida’s housing market is being squeezed further. Mortgage lock volumes for second homes in the Tampa-St. Pete area have dropped 25% year-over-year, per data from Optimal Blue.Uncertainty, Cost, and Culture Shift Driving Departures
Ken O’Brian of Southwest Coast Realty in Naples, Florida, said many longtime Canadian clients are done. “There’s no incentive to come to the States anymore,” he said. One Ontario resident, Donny B., is selling two investment properties. “With the political tension, exchange rate, and local attitudes, I don’t feel welcome anymore.”Even outside of Florida, other states are seeing a wave of Canadian sellers. Fatima Malik of Engel & Volkers in Beverly Hills reported that Canadians are also offloading homes in California. “Some are moving their sights to Portugal, Mexico, and France,” she said.As frustrations mount, what was once a cherished tradition of seasonal living in the U.S. may soon become a thing of the past for many Canadian snowbirds.
This spring, a notable uptick in property listings from Canadian homeowners is pointing to a major shift in sentiment, fueled by political tensions, economic uncertainties, and changing U.S. immigration policies. Realtors across sunbelt states report a surge in Canadian clients looking to sell off their American vacation properties. The trend is already contributing to a softening of property prices in these popular destinations. Once seen as a reliable boost to local economies, these seasonal residents are now rethinking their ties to the U.S.Canadians Lead Foreign Spending on U.S. Property
From April 2023 to March 2024, Canadians topped the charts for foreign real estate purchases in the United States, spending close to $6 billion—accounting for 13% of all international transactions. Nearly half of these homes were vacation properties, primarily located in Florida, Arizona, and Hawaii. But many buyers are now reversing course. Tracy and Dale McMullen, a couple from Alberta, recently sold their home in Buckeye, Arizona after five years. “We decided to sell the property after the current POTUS took office,” said Dale, referencing President Donald Trump’s second inauguration in January. “It was time to leave. We no longer felt welcome or safe.”Political Frictions Fuel Exodus
Tensions between Canada and the U.S. have worsened, with Trump’s administration imposing new trade tariffs, attacking Canadian leadership, and even making inflammatory remarks suggesting Canada become a U.S. state. These actions have bruised Canadian pride and triggered a broader backlash—boycotting U.S. goods, canceling trips, and now, selling homes.Canadian return flights from the U.S. dropped 13.5% in March compared to a year prior. Meanwhile, car travel saw an even steeper 32% decline, according to Statistics Canada. The property market is feeling the ripple effect. Laurie Lavine, a realtor in Arizona, said he currently has 18 Canadian listings—far above his typical 2 to 4 per quarter. Factors such as rising insurance premiums, a weak Canadian dollar, and tighter U.S. border regulations are all playing a role.New Entry Rules Deter Long-Term Visits
As of this month, the Trump administration has rolled out a new policy requiring all foreign visitors aged 14 and older to register and submit fingerprints if staying longer than 30 days. Canadians, who once enjoyed six-month visa-free visits, are now caught in this sweeping mandate.“Canadians feel unfairly targeted,” Lavine added. Many are simply opting out of the hassle.Florida Faces the Biggest Impact
Florida, a favored destination for Canadian retirees—especially from Ontario and Quebec—is experiencing a stark pullback. “South Florida’s residential market has long depended on Canadian snowbirds,” said Ermengarde Jabir, an economist at Moody’s Analytics.Andrea Hartmann of the Sandy Hartmann Group in Tampa Bay noted that her firm hasn’t received a single Canadian offer this year. Typically, the first quarter sees a rush of snowbird interest.Already dealing with rising costs, hurricane fallout, and climate concerns, Florida’s housing market is being squeezed further. Mortgage lock volumes for second homes in the Tampa-St. Pete area have dropped 25% year-over-year, per data from Optimal Blue.Uncertainty, Cost, and Culture Shift Driving Departures
Ken O’Brian of Southwest Coast Realty in Naples, Florida, said many longtime Canadian clients are done. “There’s no incentive to come to the States anymore,” he said. One Ontario resident, Donny B., is selling two investment properties. “With the political tension, exchange rate, and local attitudes, I don’t feel welcome anymore.”Even outside of Florida, other states are seeing a wave of Canadian sellers. Fatima Malik of Engel & Volkers in Beverly Hills reported that Canadians are also offloading homes in California. “Some are moving their sights to Portugal, Mexico, and France,” she said.As frustrations mount, what was once a cherished tradition of seasonal living in the U.S. may soon become a thing of the past for many Canadian snowbirds.
