I received the question below from Canada. Unfortunately, it came through the Plugoo application (on my right side bar) and there was no e-mail address. So, I will answer it here:
Hi, I Just wondered if a Canadian Citizen can buy house in US, without any intentions to live or work in US. Just want to buy and later rent the house. Does he need any kind of Visa to do this?
A Canadian national can purchase a second (vacation) home or investment property with no intention to live in the USA on a permanent basis. Most loan programs require a copy of your Canadian passport or drivers license.
If you are curious about home financing options as a Canadian citizen then head on over to the Phoenix Real Estate Guy’s blog. I wrote a guest post over the past weekend explaining how a foreign national (Canadian, British, European etc.) may obtain a mortgage loan in the United States.
While you’re there on the blog say hi to Jay Thompson for me! 
FHA and New Construction
First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit
Using the $8,000 Tax Credit to Cover FHA Loan Costs
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on Jan 28th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
There’s a lot of bad information circulating on just this question, Shailesh. Had one seller scared witless by a title company when she was told her Canadian passport was not an acceptable form of idea.
Went over the escrow officer’s head and found out she was wrong. I mean, it’s Canada. Not exactly an OFAC restricted nation.
on Jan 29th, 2008 at 6:27 am
Jonathan,
That’s funny. A passport is really the final form of international identification. All governments accept it to let you into their country! I guess that doesn’t apply to a real estate transaction. The escrow officer in this case is obviously very ignorant.
on Jan 29th, 2008 at 7:37 am
I always wondered how that worked. I think passports are important to have but right now in USA it takes so long to get one.
on Feb 5th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
[...] info: Do Canadians Need a Visa To Purchase US Real Estate? Financing Options for Canadians Buying US Property [...]
on May 6th, 2008 at 3:53 am
Hi,
A friend of mine is a Chinese national and has never been to the US. He wants to buy some house here as an investment. He’ll use cash. No mortgage needed. What document he’ll need to own a piece of property here in the US?
Thanks.
on Mar 18th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Hi there,
I am Canadian, planning to buy a home in the U.S., to spend at least 6 months of the year. Yet, I do not own a home in Canada and so my question is: do I need to demonstrate that I own a permanent home in Canada? I do not own a home here, I rent. To whom would I have to demonstrate this, and is it a neccesity that I have to own here to buy in the U.S.? Also, what difference exists if I pay cash for the house, do I still need to show a home that I own in Canada? And finally, what if I get a mortgage on it?
How does this change? This is stopping me from buying in the US.
I’d appreciate input!
Best regards,
Richard
on Mar 22nd, 2009 at 1:42 pm
Hi Richard,
I’m not sure if I’m able to even help. Loan systems are different and in today’s climate we can’ let to Canadians anymore. Sorry.
Please refer to this link for any questions you may have: http://www.azmortgageguru.com/foreign-nationals/
on Nov 2nd, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Please share with me the sources for mortgages for Canadian Citizens in US