Cross Border Program

Yes. Many clients complete a purchase without visiting in person. Property tours are done by live video walkthrough, documents are signed electronically, and Chris is physically present for inspections and the final walkthrough on your behalf. Some clients prefer to visit for the shortlist and nothing else; others never travel until closing. Both work.

Yes. Canadians without US credit history typically qualify through cross-border lending programs, which generally require a larger down payment than a domestic US buyer would put down and use Canadian income and asset documentation instead of a US credit file. Some Canadian banks also lend on US property through their US subsidiaries. Chris introduces clients to cross-border mortgage brokers who quote these programs; he does not arrange financing himself and does not give financing advice.

The two lead to different properties, so it is worth deciding before you start looking. A second home is chosen for the neighbourhood you want to spend time in and how easily you can get to it. An investment property is chosen for rental demand, local short-term rental rules, carrying costs and the tax treatment that applies to a non-resident owner. Los Angeles regulates short-term rentals tightly and the rules vary by neighbourhood, so this decision narrows the search area early. Chris will walk through the trade-offs for your situation; the tax analysis should come from a cross-border accountant.