Published August 8, 2024 • 7 Min Read
Year after year, the U.S. is the most popular vacation destination for Canadians, and Canadians are consistently among the top international buyers in the U.S. real estate market. If you regularly visit the U.S., you may be thinking about renting versus buying a U.S. home.
The advantages of renting vs. buying a U.S. home
U.S. real estate prices are still low compared to Canada. For example, the median price per square metre of a residential home in Canada is $12,504 USD, while the median price per square metre of a residential home in Los Angeles is $4,760 USD.1 Even when you take into account the currency exchange rate, U.S. home prices are still more affordable.
If you tend to travel to the U.S. regularly and rent a property, you may save money by purchasing a house or condo to use during your visits and renting it out the rest of the year. The rental income would be paid in U.S. dollars so there’s no exchange rate to consider, and this income could potentially cover part of your mortgage payment, U.S. taxes, insurance and homeowner association fees.
Should you consider financing?
With today’s weak Canadian dollar, it may make sense to finance your property instead of paying cash. Financing a U.S. property lessens the upfront impact of foreign exchange, and since U.S. lenders generally don’t charge a pre-payment penalty, you can pay down or pay off your mortgage when and if it makes sense for you to do so. For instance, should the Loonie strengthen, you can use the exchange rate to work to your advantage.
Getting pre-approved
Before you begin looking for the perfect property south of the border, it’s a good idea to get pre-approved. This helps you determine how much you can spend and means you’ll be prepared if you come across the right home for you. When you’ve found that perfect home, and you’re ready to apply, keep in mind the application process takes longer in the U.S. — usually 30 to 50 days.
Down payments and other costs
Down payment requirements depend on how you’ll use the property. Typically, a down payment is 20% of the purchase price for a primary residence or second vacation home and 25% for an investment property. Be sure to also budget for a property appraisal, title search and flood certification (in U.S. dollars). All told, your U.S. closing costs may be around 2% to 5% of the selling price.
Insurance
When financing a home in the U.S., you’ll be required to provide proof of homeowners insurance each year. If you purchase a condo or townhouse that is covered by a Master Insurance Policy, you will likely need to purchase a separate policy for the interior of your unit. If your home is located in a federally recognized flood zone, you’ll be required to have flood insurance as well.
Taxation
As a Canadian who owns real estate in the U.S., any taxes you may be required to pay will depend on where you’re filing, and how you are using the property.
If your U.S. property is generating income, either as an investment property or as a rental income, you’ll likely need to report this income on your Canadian tax return and file tax returns in the U.S. The bright spot is that since you are running a business, you can also claim expenses. Your flights to visit and check on the property, as well as any repairs or improvements, are all expenses that you may claim on your tax return.
There are lots of tax considerations in both countries when purchasing, renting out or selling a home in the U.S., so it’s in your best interest to speak with a cross-border tax and legal expert to fully understand your potential tax liabilities before you purchase.
Management or rental company
If you plan to rent your U.S. property for some of the year, you will want to ensure it is cared for when you return to Canada. You can choose to hire a management or rental company.
When you’re interviewing companies, here are a few of the questions to ask:
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How long have you been in business? Select an established company that can provide references from clients.
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What types of properties do you specialize in? Find out if they have other Canadian clients in a situation like yours and how they manage these properties.
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How large is the staff? Is this a large management company or an individual consultant providing these services? If you own a property for your personal use, employing an individual who can check on the place, pick up the mail or be there to oversee repairs and maintenance may be all that you need. If you are renting the property, you may want a company that offers a full range of management and rental services.
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What are your fees, and what services do you offer? When you’re quoted a fee, look deeper into the services that are provided. When the property is being managed remotely, it may be worth paying more for the added peace of mind.
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Who will take care of the property? Will the company provide a dedicated person, or will they send anyone who is available to check on your property? A dedicated individual may be preferable as the person will get to know you and your property, so you may receive a higher level of service.
Thinking About Renting Out Your U.S. Property?
Leveraging your U.S. home equity can provide you access to U.S. dollars without having to sell your U.S. property
Figuring out how to rent your U.S. home can be overwhelming, but with a bit of knowledge and planning, U.S. real estate can be a good investment for Canadians. Beyond an investment, it can also provide a comfortable destination for warm-weather getaways.
1. National Association of Realtors®: Profile of International Transactions in U.S. Residential Real Estate 2024
This article is intended as general information only and is not to be relied upon as constituting legal, financial or other professional advice. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation. Information presented is believed to be factual and up-to-date but we do not guarantee its accuracy and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the authors as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by Royal Bank of Canada or any of its affiliates.
RBC Bank is RBC Bank (Georgia), National Association (“RBC Bank”), a wholly owned U.S. banking subsidiary of Royal Bank of Canada, and is a member of the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). U.S. deposit accounts are insured by the FDIC up to the maximum amount permissible by law. U.S. banking products and services are offered and provided by RBC Bank. Canadian banking products and services are offered and provided by Royal Bank of Canada. U.S. deposit accounts are not insured by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (“CDIC”). RBC Bank, Equal Housing Lender.
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