Canadians have wintered in Florida for decades. Many of them own homes in Florida and other sunny states, spending six months there and moving back to Canada for the warmer months. But now a lot of Canadian Snowbirds are selling their US home. What’s driving this trend, and where are these warmth-loving folks looking for new vacation homes?
Why Canadian Snowbirds Are Selling Their US Homes
The Snowbird Population is Aging
Statistics Canada projects that by 2030, nearly one-quarter of Canada’s population will be 65 or older. Canada’s original Snowbirds are getting older as well. It’s becoming more of a burden for them to switch homes every six months, especially if they’ve been driving back and forth. Maintenance on two homes also gets more difficult in the senior years.
Climate Concerns Are Driving Some Sales
Florida has seen a dire increase in hurricanes, flooding, shoreline erosion, and damaging winds. Beachfront properties have become increasingly difficult to maintain and protect, especially when the owners are only there for part of the year.
Canadians selling Florida homes are citing climate concerns as a key reason. A Royal LePage survey published in August 2025 found that 22% of Canadians who had already sold their US property pointed to extreme weather as their primary motivation.
Costs Are Adding Up
Climate issues have not only increased maintenance costs; they’ve also caused insurance rates to skyrocket. Even in well-protected areas of Florida away from water, homeowners have seen insurance costs increase by 40% or 50%. This situation is worse in coastal communities. Some large insurers have pulled out of Florida altogether, leaving homeowners scrambling to find coverage and resorting to paying very high rates.
HOA fees in Florida have also increased in response to rising insurance rates and increasing maintenance costs. It’s not uncommon for HOA fees in some communities to rise by 10 or 20% per year, making it hard to justify the cost of hanging onto a vacation home.
Exchange rates aren’t helping either; a monthly expense of $3,000 USD translates to $4,200 CAD, which could be used for a vacation home in Canada or other expenses. Many of the Canadian Snowbirds selling their Florida home are on a fixed income, and an extra $4,200 a month comes in very handy.
General maintenance and upkeep is another rising cost, and some of it has to be done even during the summer, when the homeowners aren’t there. Snowbirds need someone to check on the property and take in the mail, and some utilities have to be kept running all year long.
Changing Residency Rules
Not that long ago, Canadians could cross the border into the US relatively easily and were allowed to stay for up to 182 days. Currently, Canadians have to register if they plan to stay more than 29 days, and they face stricter entry requirements, including more intensive screening at the border.
For people who just want to enjoy a relaxing time at their winter home, these additional hassles have made things stressful. Snowbirds are concerned about getting the paperwork right and are legitimately worried about what could happen if they accidentally overstay their visit. These added complexities are leading to more Canadians selling their Florida homes.
Although it’s not at the top of everyone’s mind, political tensions between the United States and Canada are affecting some Snowbirds. The Royal Lepage survey found that 44% of Snowbirds who have sold cited concerns about the current administration as their primary motivation.
Selling due to the political situation isn’t about favouring one side or the other; it’s more often about how people feel when they are at their vacation homes. Many Canadians report feeling less comfortable, less welcome, or simply out of alignment with some of the policy changes that affect foreign residents. If they think they’ll feel more relaxed elsewhere, choosing a different location can make sense.
Are Snowbirds Choosing to Go?
If Canadian Snowbirds are selling their US home, where are they going instead?
Buying in Canada
According to the Royal Lepage survey, 32% of Canadian Snowbirds selling their US home are investing in Canada. That might mean a condo in Victoria, BC, where winters are mild by Canadian standards, leaning into the Canadian winter with a cozy winter cottage in Quebec, or making a home in beachside PEI. With Canadians choosing to buy local and support local and to support the Canadian economy, these options just make sense to them.
Exploring New Areas
Canadian Snowbirds have always looked to the US as their default, but now they’re considering locales in Mexico, including places like Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, and the Mayan Riviera. There is no shortage of other destinations in the Caribbean that support the Snowbird lifestyle and offer stimulating cultural experiences.
Still other Snowbirds are venturing to Portugal, Spain, Malta, Cyprus, and other parts of Europe. Affordability, sunshine, culture, food, golf, and diverse expat communities are big draws for Canadians selling their Florida home.
Renting Instead of Buying
Not all Snowbirds who sold are planning to buy another property. Instead, they are choosing to rent a home when they want to escape the winter. This gives them more flexibility in location, property type, and the experiences they want to have. Renting instead of owning also means less maintenance work, fewer tax implications, and less hassle overall.
Other US Locations
Some Canadian Snowbirds are selling their Florida home but buying elsewhere in America. The most popular locations for these moves are Arizona, Texas, and Nevada, where the weather is drier, and storms aren’t as damaging, but residents can still enjoy warm temperatures and beautiful natural spaces.
Who’s Staying in Florida
Despite the trend of Canadian Snowbirds selling their Florida home, there are families choosing to keep their winter getaway. These homeowners are more likely to be high-net-worth Canadians who aren’t as affected by rising costs. These buyers enjoy the luxury lifestyle of places like Jupiter, Palm Beach, and Miami Beach, where they may have an established network of friends and club memberships.
The story of why Canadian Snowbirds are selling US homes is complex and has many different drivers. Whether the trend will last remains to be seen. In the meantime, there are many excellent properties to choose from on both sides of the border. If you’re looking, connect with a real estate agent in the area you’re interested in for the best insights and advice.
