Canadians Shun U.S. Homes as Search Drops 20% Year Over Year

Rising Tensions Affect Canadian Interest in the U.S.

The current political climate between Canada and the United States has created a significant shift in how Canadians view their neighbor to the south. Factors such as tariffs, safety concerns, and border arrests have led to a noticeable decline in interest among Canadians for visiting or living in the U.S. This trend is supported by data from Redfin, which shows a nearly 20% drop in Canadian searches for U.S. homes compared to the previous year.

The decline began in February when the Trump administration announced a 25% tariff on Canadian imports. Although these tariffs were temporarily put on hold, they eventually went into effect in March. This policy change has had a ripple effect on the real estate market, with many Canadian buyers and renters reconsidering their options.

One notable example is a Canadian client who is currently selling his last U.S. property. He no longer sees the U.S. as a viable place for investment or vacation. Previously, he owned four homes in the Las Vegas area, which he rented out to fellow Canadians for casino and poker events. However, with the current political tensions, he has decided to cut ties with the U.S.

Redfin’s analysis is based on the number of unique Canadian users searching for homes to buy or rent in the U.S. In August, this number dropped by 19.5% year-over-year. The most significant decline occurred in April, when the Trump administration announced its global tariff policy, leading to a 34.2% drop in searches. While the total number of all prospective buyers and renters on Redfin.com also decreased during this time, the drop was much smaller compared to the Canadian market.

Some Canadians are taking extreme measures to avoid any connection to the U.S. Michael Mortensen, a 58-year-old development consultant from Vancouver, told NBC News that he refuses to spend money in the U.S. while President Donald Trump "levies idiotic tariffs and rains chaos." He had planned a Hawaiian vacation with his family, budgeting about $10,000, but started looking into alternative destinations to avoid the U.S. entirely, even avoiding layovers.

Canadians have also expressed frustration with President Trump's suggestion that Canada become the 51st U.S. state. One Canadian citizen told CBS News, “We have to stand up for Canada, you know. They’re poking us in the eye, so we got to poke them back.” A March survey of over 1,500 Canadians by Leger found that two-thirds of respondents said they had reduced their purchases of American products.

Historically, cities like Florida, New York City, California, Arizona, and Nevada were popular destinations for Canadians due to their favorable climates and tourist attractions. However, these areas have seen some of the steepest declines in Canadian searches, according to Redfin. Las Vegas, in particular, has experienced a significant drop in Canadian tourism, prompting its mayor to plead for Canadians to return.

“As the mayor of Las Vegas, I’m telling everybody in Canada, please come. We love you, we need you, and we miss you,” said Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley during a press conference last week.

Other cities that have seen more than a 20% decline in year-over-year search traffic include West Palm Beach, Fla., with a 26.6% drop; Tampa (-23.1%); Orlando (-23%); Anaheim, Calif., with a 26% decline; and Los Angeles, where searches dropped by 25.5%. Additional cities affected include Columbus, Ohio; Detroit; San Diego; Washington, D.C.; Boston; and New York City.

Despite these challenges, the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the situation. The ongoing tensions between the two countries continue to shape the perceptions and behaviors of Canadians regarding the U.S.