Instead of cashing out of Ontario real estate, more Canadians are buying property in the U.S. while keeping their Canadian homes. Florida, Arizona, and Texas are seeing a surge of Canadian buyers — not retirees downsizing, but owners leveraging equity.
This isn’t speculation.
It’s strategy.
The Old Way: Sell in Canada to Buy in the U.S.
For years, the typical path looked like this:
Sell your Ontario home
Trigger capital gains (if applicable)
Give up future appreciation
Re-enter the Canadian market later… at higher prices
That approach made sense when:
Rates were falling
Home prices were flat
Equity access was limited
That world no longer exists.
The New Reality: Ontario Equity Is a Global Asset
Today, Ontario real estate is acting like a private bank for homeowners.
With decades of appreciation behind them, many Canadians are:
Sitting on significant untapped equity
Locked into low fixed mortgage rates
Unwilling to give up Canadian exposure
Instead of selling, they’re borrowing strategically.
Why the U.S. Looks So Attractive Right Now
Several factors are driving Canadians south — without cutting ties at home.
🌴 1. Lifestyle Arbitrage
Warm weather, lower daily costs, and better year-round usability make U.S. properties attractive — especially in states like Florida and Arizona.
💵 2. Income-Friendly Structures
Many Canadians are buying:
Short-term rentals
Seasonal properties
Long-term U.S. rentals
All while keeping Ontario as their primary asset base.
🏦 3. Banks Are Restrictive — Private Capital Isn’t
Traditional lenders often:
Limit foreign purchases
Require full income qualification
Reduce HELOC access
Private lenders focus instead on:
✔ Property value
✔ Loan-to-value (LTV)
✔ Exit strategy
That flexibility is key.
The Bank of Canada Factor
With the Bank of Canada holding rates near neutral and future cuts uncertain, homeowners are choosing certainty over waiting.
Why?
Rate cuts may not come
Credit conditions may tighten
Equity access can shrink quietly
Smart borrowers act while options still exist.
Why They’re Not Selling in Ontario
This is the most important part.
Canadians aren’t abandoning Ontario real estate because:
Long-term supply remains constrained
Immigration continues to support demand
Urban land scarcity isn’t going away
Selling would mean:
❌ Losing future upside
❌ Paying selling costs and taxes
❌ Trying to re-enter later at higher prices
Keeping the property preserves optionality.
How Canadians Are Structuring These Deals
Most cross-border buyers are using:
Second mortgages
Home equity loans
Private bridge financing
These structures allow them to:
✔ Buy U.S. property now
✔ Avoid selling in Ontario
✔ Maintain flexibility on repayment
✔ Refinance later if conditions improve
It’s not about leverage for leverage’s sake — it’s about control.
What This Means for Canadian Homeowners
This trend signals something bigger:
Canadian housing remains a core store of value
Home equity is replacing traditional financing
Cross-border investing is becoming mainstream
Those who understand this early gain a massive advantage.
How Lendworth Helps Bridge the Gap
At Lendworth, we specialize in helping Canadians:
✔ Access Ontario home equity
✔ Structure second mortgages and private loans
✔ Fund U.S. purchases without selling
✔ Move quickly and confidently
Whether you’re buying in Florida, Arizona, or elsewhere — we help you use what you already own to unlock what you want next.
📞 Call Lendworth today: 905-597-1225
Final Thought
The smartest Canadians aren’t choosing between Canada or the U.S.
They’re choosing both.
By keeping Ontario property and buying abroad, they’re turning home equity into a borderless financial tool.
Your equity deserves more™