For the past 15 years, Dale McMullen, a grain farmer from Alberta, has been escaping the cold Canadian winter by heading to sunny Arizona. But after this winter, he decided he would never go back.

"The contract is signed," said McMullen, who hails from Innisfail, Alberta. "I don't want to spend another penny in the U.S."

He and his wife have already sold their winter home in Phoenix, with the transaction finalized this Friday.

"These years we've been enduring the exchange rate differences, hoping that the Canadian dollar would strengthen. But now, all these political messes caused by the U.S. and Trump are really humiliating," McMullen said. He returned to Canada last Sunday, "It felt like a relief when I got home."

Although he said he will miss his second home there, the good weather, and his American friends, he added, "Many people have apologized to us, saying they feel sorry about what happened. But this is reality – they elected their own president."

The McMullens are just one part of the "real estate exodus wave."

Real estate agents say that facing the U.S.-Canada trade war, President Trump's comments about possibly annexing Canada, and the continuous weakening of the Canadian dollar, more and more "snowbirds" are selling their properties in the U.S.

"My phone has been ringing off the hook. Normally at this time of year, I would have two or three listings, but now I have 16 on sale," said Laurie Lavine, a real estate agent at Premier Realty in Arizona.

Having both U.S. and Canadian citizenship, Lavine noted that since Trump took office on January 20th, the enthusiasm of Canadians to sell their homes has surged, especially after Trump made hostile remarks against Canada.

"The final straw was when the current government, i.e., the president, started talking about the possibility of Canada becoming the '51st state of the U.S.,'" Lavine said.

This broker, who worked in Calgary before moving to Phoenix 16 years ago, admitted that he, like many of his Canadian clients, has become thoroughly disappointed with Trump.

"This is wave after wave of blows, making us feel bullied, threatened, and increasingly worried."

This "snowbird exodus" is happening simultaneously along the coasts of the U.S.

Catherine Spino, a real estate agent working in South Florida, also noticed Canadian homeowners selling their properties. She pointed out that high costs and ongoing uncertainties were deterring potential buyers.

"There are too many unknown factors," Spino said.

According to a report by the National Association of Realtors, Canadians were the largest group of foreign homebuyers in the U.S. last year, accounting for 13% of total purchases, mainly concentrated in Florida and Arizona.

Bob Gass, a retired senior from Manitoba who has been a snowbird for 15 years, owns a property in southern Florida with his wife. At 72 years old, he said that several Canadian neighbors have put up "For Sale" signs recently.

"If you're Canadian, either you've already listed your home for sale or you're discussing it. My wife and I are considering it now," Gass said.

"We still want to go there for a few more years to escape the cold, but we're not sure if we can anymore."

This elderly man from McCreary expressed concerns about unfavorable exchange rates, U.S. tariffs on Canada, and tightened border policies.

Starting this Friday, the U.S. will implement a new rule: Visitors staying in the U.S. for more than 30 days must register with the U.S. government.

"We are willing to cooperate, but if this becomes troublesome, then we'll have no choice but to sell our property and leave," Gass said.

McMullen said that what made him make up his mind was Trump's threats to Canada's sovereignty and his comment calling former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau the "governor."

"Enough, really enough. We don't want to support them anymore. We're back in Canada, and we will speak out," he said.

Source:

https://globalnews.ca/news/11126170/canadians-selling-u-s-properties/

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7495631177538109971/

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