Lately there has been an influx of snowbirds looking for winter visitor second homes in the U.S., particularly in Arizona. This is partly because of retirees recently being more comfortable about the economy and Canadians making good use of the currency exchange rate, among others. In fact more and more Canadians are traveling to Arizona earlier and leaving much later.
If there's any point in winter visitor second homes, it would be those who live in places like Phoenix and Scottsdale who would give you the answer. Driving through the towns and neighborhoods of Arizona is evidence enough - they are lined with Canadian second homes. Up to 50 percent of the properties bought in Arizona are owned by Canadians. According to analysts and economists, Canadians themselves have been spreading the word about the real estate industry in Arizona to other fellow Canadians. Winter visitors are the most popular.
You Choose
If you're Canadian, the Arizona real estate industry offers a wide range of options, which will reveal to you the great buying power of the Canadian dollar. If you're on a tight budget, it's possible to find extremely affordable homes in the area that are less than $150,000! If you're relocating mainly due to the weather, town homes and condos sprinkle the Valley. Golf courses and the desert and mountain scenery are some of the more popular reasons for relocating/retiring here. You'll be able to find homes where you can view these attractive locations from your own backyard. For those who like to retire in style there are luxurious homes constructed on the side of mountains. For those looking for a home for their whole family, there are literally hundreds of gated communities to choose from.
Cheaper For You
The glut of properties in the U.S. market, credit crunch and seller's willingness to deal has opened more doors for overseas investors with some capital. Price slashes of up to 50 percent can be seen on numerous properties. The decreased value of the American dollar when put side-by-side with the Canadian currency indicates that even without reduced prices on wholesale properties in Arizona, a Canadian can enjoy up to 3.5 percent reduction based on ideal exchange rates alone. There's even more.
The Place Is Not Bad
While there are many options available for different lifestyles, Arizona as a whole is a generally ideal place for people to live in. Take a look at Gilbert for instance. Here you'll find lots of fine dining spots (great for couples), shopping establishments, reasonable prices, peaceful neighborhoods and breathtaking scenery. The whole of Arizona boasts of 300 days of sun, just one reason why buying winter visitor second homes is a better idea than simply renting.
Convenience In Buying
Canadians can can now enjoy direct flights to Phoenix, Arizona. Places further than Phoenix are just about an hour and a half car or shuttle ride at most. Most places in Arizona have non-existent traffic jams. Golf carts are in fact a very common mode of transportation in the area.
A Last Note
If you want a place where tax laws will do more favors for you, choose Scottsdale. But Arizona itself permits a second property at a primary home's mortgage interest rate, and you'll still be able to obtain the mortgage write-off. Of course, there may be some limits based on how the place is utilized and its value. In addition, alterations in the federal income tax laws now offer a range of possible new tax breaks and deductions.
A holiday or second-home real estate agent can be quite different from your usual real estate agent. Canadians looking for winter visitor second homes would be better off working with someone who specializes in Arizona real estate deals.
Maureen Karpinski
Find your <a href=http://www.cactuscountryproperty.com/city/phoenix.htm>Phoenix Arizona Property</a> at Cactus Country <a href=http://www.cactuscountryproperty.com>Arizona Homes & Properties</a>
About the Author
Maureen has been in the real estate industry for 36 years as an agent and broker/owner of her own company. She prides herself in successful negotiation for both buyer and sellers and in building successful portfolios for investors. She is proud of her Agent friendly office environment that is her own creation and the caliber of real estate agents she has working for her
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