Hey Everyone,
This week I’m digging into the mail bag and answering a question from a client that I think has a lot of others pondering the same.
I bought a condo in Palm Springs back in the day and it used to be perfect, winters down south, a bit of rental income to offset the costs… but lately it’s just not adding up. Fees are up, rental demand’s down, and I barely get down there anymore. Any ideas?
Ah yes, the pre-COVID snowbird dream: a place in Palm Springs or a beachy condo in Tulum, paying for itself while you soaked up the sun.
Back then, it made total sense.
For many though, the math has changed, might say the math just isn’t mathing anymore.
Then vs. Now
HOA fees and property insurance in parts of the U.S. have spiked.
Mexico’s rental market isn’t what it used to be.
Local rules are changing fast, and they’re not exactly written with Canadians in mind.
And let’s be honest: you’re probably not using it nearly as much as you thought you would.
Sound familiar?
Let’s Bring It Home
Selling your foreign property might sound like a hassle, but it can actually be the smartest move you make this year, and here’s why:
1. Repatriating the equity brings stability
You can turn that place you barely use into capital here at home. And if you bought in USD, the exchange rate might surprise you, in a good way.
2. It opens the door to smarter real estate moves in Canada
Pay down your current mortgage
Buy a new place with a legal suite and reliable rental income
Downsize to something that fits your life now, not the 2016 version of you
You’d be shocked how far U.S. sale proceeds can go in the right Canadian market.
[ Bonus!! ] You Insulate Yourself
Foreign governments aren’t building policy to protect your retirement. If anything, they’re looking for ways to tighten rules and boost revenue. HOA surprises, tax policy changes, and withheld income are becoming common stories.
Reinvesting at home lets you build on Canadian terms, with lenders, rules, and protections you understand, not ones you're Googling with the Wi-Fi cutting out.
From Desert Oasis to Canadian Game plan
If you’ve got a place collecting dust (and bills), there’s a way out that doesn’t involve guilt or guesswork. With the right tax help and a little mortgage planning, that foreign property can be your ticket to something more secure, and more useful, right here at home.
👉 Want to run the numbers? Let’s chat. Whether it’s Palm Springs, Tulum, or Phoenix, there’s a smart way to bring it home.
Text me, right now! 250-919-5474
I don’t say this on a whim, I’m serious, if you text me now, I can show you exactly where you stand within a few hours. No stress, no pressure, no obligation.
Just a simple text that can put you at ease.