With the 2024 US presidential election in full swing, a marked increase in American interest in Canadian real estate has been noted.
New figures from Royal LePage highlight this trend, showing that visits to its website from US users have lifted notably during this election cycle.
The data indicates that US-originated web sessions more than doubled in the week of 16 June (104% week over week and 67% year over year) preceding the first presidential debate.
Interest peaked further the following week after the debate between President Joe Biden and Donald Trump, the Republican frontrunner.
CTV News in Vancouver reported that this week saw an additional 4% increase, resulting in a 112% week-over-week rise and 94% year-over-year growth.
Phil Soper, CEO of Royal LePage, noted that this pattern was similar to what occurred during the 2016 election, reflecting how emotionally charged elections spur Americans to explore alternative living options.
He described this behaviour as “internet therapy,” where many look to the idea of moving to places like Toronto, Vancouver, or Montreal to escape political turbulence.
Reports show that much of this interest comes from traditionally Democratic states, indicating that concerns over key policy issues such as LGBTQ and women’s reproductive rights play a role.
Jennifer Philips, chair of the B.C. Mainland chapter of Democrats Abroad, remarked that these rights are settled law in Canada, contrasting with uncertainties in the U.S. political landscape.
This election has been described as particularly divisive, with voters split on major social and economic issues, leading to a tightly contested race where both President Biden and Trump vie for key states.
Ryan Neely of McCrea Immigration Law confirmed a noticeable uptick in inquiries, particularly from Blue states.
“We’ve seen an increase in cold calls, where people reach out simply out of curiosity about moving to Canada,” he said.
Despite this, the transition from interest to permanent residency remains low, as many who initially explore the idea do not commit.
Those who do often include young families or individuals who have long contemplated the move but were awaiting the right moment.
This American interest is not entirely new.
During the 2016 and 2020 elections, similar spikes in real estate interest occurred, spurred by heated political divides.
The 2024 race has seen comparable levels of intensity, with issues such as the economy, healthcare, and social rights playing significant roles in voter decisions.
With polls showing tight margins in several battleground states, the outcome of the election is still considered uncertain.
