TORONTO — More than half of Canadians who own homes in the United States are weighing whether to sell them within the next year, according to a new Royal LePage survey, as political instability and extreme weather increasingly drive decisions about cross-border investments.
The poll, conducted by Burson, found 54 per cent of Canadian owners are considering selling. Of those, 62 per cent cite dissatisfaction with the current U.S. administration as the primary reason, while 33 per cent point to personal or financial factors, and 5 per cent to extreme weather events such as hurricanes, flooding and wildfires.
Many say they plan to bring that money back into Canada as part of the “Buy Canadian” movement. “Canadians have been the most important foreign investors in America’s residential real estate for years, and a significant wave of property sales would leave a noticeable mark on regional economies that snowbirds support,” said Phil Soper, president and CEO of Royal LePage.
Florida, Arizona and California could see millions in lost annual economic activity if Canadian buyers pull out, Soper noted, since unlike investors from other countries, Canadians often live in the communities where they buy, contributing to local businesses and volunteer networks.
The survey also found 44 per cent of Canadians who sold U.S. properties in the past year cited politics as their motivation, while others pointed to personal needs or worsening climate risks.
Overall, Canadian investment in U.S. real estate has declined in recent years, with sales by Canadians now outpacing new purchases. Meanwhile, political turmoil in the U.S. has driven spikes of American interest in Canadian property, with traffic surges on Canadian real estate websites after major events such as elections and protests.
“Across sectors, Canadians are increasingly choosing to support domestic businesses and invest in their own communities,” Soper said. “This shift extends into real estate, reinforcing confidence in the long-term strength of Canada’s economy.”