U.S. Mortgages for Canadians: How to Buy Property in the U.S.

Yes, Canadians can finance U.S. property

Many Canadians assume they have to pay cash to buy in the U.S., or that they need a U.S. credit score first. Neither is true. Lenders that work with Canadian borrowers can qualify you using your Canadian credit report, income and bank accounts.

Our cross-border program is built for exactly this: Canadian credit (Equifax Canada), Canadian income and banking, and a closing you can complete from home.

What you'll need

Canadian credit report (we pull it with your permission)
Government photo ID (passport)
Proof of income — for example T4s or Notices of Assessment, depending on the program
Recent bank statements showing your down payment and reserves
Details of the property: purchase contract, and expected rent if it's an investment

Down payment and costs

Plan for roughly 20–25% down, plus closing costs (often around 3–5% of the price) and reserves. Your funds will need to be in U.S. dollars when you close, so think about how and when you'll convert and wire them — the exchange rate can move your real cost.

Step by step

1. Consultation: a short call to understand your goals, budget and target market.
2. Pre-approval: send your Canadian credit, ID and bank statements; pre-approval typically takes 48–72 hours.
3. Shop and make an offer: your agent uses the pre-approval to write a strong offer.
4. Underwriting and appraisal: the lender reviews the file and values the property.
5. Close remotely: sign, wire your funds, get the keys. Typical time from offer to close is 21–30 days.

Decide how you'll own it — before you buy

You can buy in your personal name, through a Canadian corporation, or through a U.S. LLC. The choice affects liability, U.S. and Canadian taxes, estate planning and even which lenders can finance the purchase. It's much easier to set up correctly before closing than to change later.

Cross-border tax questions to ask an advisor

We're mortgage brokers, not tax advisors, but these are the topics Canadian buyers should raise with a cross-border accountant:

Filing U.S. tax returns on rental income, and whether you need a U.S. taxpayer ID (ITIN)
Withholding when you eventually sell (FIRPTA) — IRS overview
How U.S. income and gains are reported in Canada, and foreign tax credits
U.S. estate tax exposure and how ownership structure affects it
How many days you can spend in the U.S. each year without tax consequences

Common questions

Can a Canadian get a mortgage in the U.S.?

Yes. Canadians can finance U.S. homes and investment properties. Through our cross-border program you qualify with your Canadian credit history, income and banking — you don't need a U.S. credit score.

How much down payment do Canadians need?

Typically 20–25% of the purchase price, plus closing costs (often around 3–5%) and some reserves. Your pre-approval shows the exact numbers for your situation.

Do I need to travel to the U.S. to close?

Usually not. Most of the process — application, documents, signing — can be done remotely from Canada. We'll tell you if a specific lender or title company needs anything in person.

Should I buy in my own name, a Canadian company or a U.S. LLC?

Each has trade-offs for liability, taxes and estate planning, and it affects which lenders you can use. Decide before you make an offer, with help from a cross-border tax advisor. We can introduce you to one.

Ready to talk?

Book a free consultation from our Canadian investor page, or call (951) 412-5450. We're based in Murrieta, California and work with buyers in every province.