When they’re right, they’re right.
The largest paper in Canada, the Toronto Star, has this article on real estate bargains in the United States.
Sure, a shopping trip to Buffalo might net you a deal or two now that the loonie has soared to parity with the U.S. dollar, but after a prolonged slump in the U.S. real estate market, the hottest stateside bargains for Canadians might be retirement and vacation properties in Florida and Arizona.
If you want to compare Florida and Arizona real estate, Canadians should be sure to price out the cost of the unfair Florida property taxes which discriminate against newcomers, and Florida’s extremely high homeowners insurance costs.
Economist Noah Blackstein, writing last week for thestreet.com, says Canadians might be wise to move quickly, now that the Canadian dollar is at par.
“While U.S. real estate prices may have more downside, I would seize the opportunity of parity and buy now, and enjoy for the rest of your life,” Blackstein says.
Arizona homes are 12% cheaper for Canadians than they were in January! That’s absolutely amazing!
Canadians might want to take advantage of this great exchange rate while it lasts and buy that Arizona home they’ve been dreaming of for years, right now before the exchange rate changes.
The article talks a lot about real estate prices in Florida and also mentions Arizona real estate prices. If you are interested in reading about metro Phoenix real estate prices, there is no better place to be than right here at this geeky little website, Arizona Real Estate Notebook.
If you are looking for a home in the Scottsdale area, please give me a call. I was born and raised in Phoenix and would love to show it off to you. I would be honored to represent you in your real estate purchase.
If you are looking for a home in another area of metro Phoenix, I can refer you to a very good real estate agent in your area of interest. Please let me refer you to someone I know and trust.
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Maurizio Flammini 12.18.07 at 9:30 pm
Hi John, I am from Toronto, Canada and I am interested in purchasing an investment property in Arizona. Could you please send me some listings of such properties that you may have. My price range is $300,000. I have never been to Arizona, but would like to get on the real estate bandwagoon. Could you please inform me of some locations that would be ideal to invest in. I am planning to take a trip with my family this winter and look forward to meeting with you. Thank you for your time. Maurizio Flammini
John Wake - Real Estate 12.18.07 at 11:32 pm
Maurizio,
Great! I got your email. Let’s talk so I can understand what you are looking for in an investment.
Maurizio Flammini 12.19.07 at 8:34 pm
Hi John, sorry for getting back at you so late in the evening. Thank you for your responce. Basically what I am looking to do is jump into the market for future investment. I would like to keep the property as a vacation home for several weeks of the year and rent out the balance if possible. If not, keep the property for myself and hope for a good return in the near future. I am understanding that real estate prices are on a downside and with our dollar a parity, it makes it very attractive. I am looking for a property in an excellent location with future benefits. Hope this helps. Thank you, Maurizo Flammini
John Wake - Real Estate 12.19.07 at 10:21 pm
Maurizio,
Thanks, that helps me a lot. I’ll so some research and get back to you tomorrow with some good options.
Bassam Fares 03.10.08 at 8:03 pm
I am interested to buy strip malls (retails) as real estate investment, so can you send me some in order to evaluate the opportunity for me in Arizona?
John Wake - Real Estate 03.10.08 at 8:59 pm
Bassam Fares,
I would be happy to help you find a real estate agent who specializes in strip malls. I’m sorry but I don’t do strip malls.
Email me at, john at homesalenews.com, or call me, and tell me what you are looking for in your real estate agent.
Jeanne Amos 03.24.08 at 1:27 pm
Hi John,
I am in New Business Development with a sister publication of the Toronto Star (Canada’s national newspaper). We are in the early stages of developing a Real
Estate magazine publication, which will feature properties for sale in Arizona and Florida. As you are aware, our strong Canadian dollar, has peaked a huge interest in foreign property ownership, specifically in these two vacation areas. This new publication would be distributed/targeted into Toronto homes with incomes over $300,000. It will also have a strong web component. Once again, it’s in the very preliminary stages, but I would appreciate any feedback from you, as to if, you see this as a useful selling tool. If you would email a phone number where you can be reached, I will call you and discuss this further. If you have a chance, please review our digitial edition of our weekly local Real Estate product.
My sincere thanks,
Jeanne Amos, New Business Consultant
This Week In Real Estate Inc.,
519-746-3667
jamos@twire.ca
John Wake - Real Estate 03.24.08 at 3:53 pm
Jeanne, That should work.
My contact information is near the top right corner of this blog.