As a realtor, one of the most common questions I get lately — especially from friends and contacts in the U.S. — is:
“Why can’t Americans buy property in Canada anymore?”
It’s a fair question, and the short answer is this:
👉 Most U.S. citizens are currently not allowed to buy residential property in Canada because of a federal foreign-buyer ban that runs until 2027.
In 2023, the Canadian government put a rule in place to stop most non-Canadians from buying residential homes. The goal was to help cool down the housing market and make it easier for Canadians to buy homes.
Originally, this rule was supposed to end in 2025 — but it was extended to January 1, 2027.
So right now, if you’re:
You generally cannot buy a house, condo, or townhouse in most Canadian cities.
The ban mainly applies to:
And it mostly affects properties in cities and larger towns — places where most people actually want to live or invest.
So if you’re thinking:
“I’ll just buy a small home or condo as a vacation place or rental”
In most cases — that’s not allowed right now.
Yes — but they’re limited.
Some people can still buy, such as:
There are also situations where rural or recreational properties may fall outside the ban, depending on the location. But this is very specific and not something you want to guess on — it requires proper advice before making any moves.
Commercial properties (like apartment buildings, retail, or industrial real estate) are not part of the ban.
This part is important.
Buying when you’re not allowed to can result in:
Trying to “work around” the rule without proper legal guidance is risky — and I strongly advise against it.
As it stands today:
📅 January 1, 2027 is the earliest date the ban could end.
That said, governments can extend or change policies, so nothing is guaranteed. If buying in Canada is part of your future plans, it’s smart to stay informed and plan ahead rather than assume the rules won’t change.
I know this can be frustrating, especially since Fort Erie, ON is a bordertown to the United States
But the rules are clear right now:
If you’re unsure whether a specific property or situation qualifies, always ask before making an offer. A quick conversation can save a lot of headaches later.
