| p>Rising prices in European countries are making | | | | found realtors in Nova Scotia to be refreshingly helpful. |
| would be 'downshifters' look further afield to start their | | | | Our realtor must have spent hours answering our |
| new lives. Requirements for cheaper housing and land | | | | questions by e-mail and sending us photos- she |
| to start their new lives mortgage free have made | | | | definitely went far beyond the call of duty but as |
| many turn to rural Canada especially the Atlantic | | | | potential buyers who didn't really have any idea of the |
| Provinces where a modest home with a few acres | | | | house purchasing process in Canada we were |
| may cost you as little as 17k in sterling. | | | | extremely grateful. It really did make all the difference! |
| Buying a home in Nova Scotia, either for investment, | | | | Realtor acts for both parties |
| holidays or eventual permanent residency is a simple | | | | After much research, many photos and many, many |
| process even if you live abroad and are not | | | | questions we felt we really wanted to put in an offer |
| Canadian....we did just that in 2004, mostly by e-mail | | | | on the house we had been discussing. We had been |
| from the UK and were pleasantly surprised just how | | | | made aware that we could ask ourrealtor to work on |
| easy the process was. | | | | our behalf by entering into a limited dual agency |
| Before I start to explain the process it maybe worth | | | | relationship (this service provided by realtors is free to |
| clarifying a few points and address some commonly | | | | the buyer ). Basically this means that the realtor acts |
| asked questions... | | | | impartially for both the seller & buyer and you sign |
| Are there any different rules for non-residents buying | | | | an agreement with the realtor. The next step was for |
| property in Canada? No......its exactly the same process | | | | us to make an offer. Our offer was a little unique |
| for a Canadian, Nova Scotian or resident of another | | | | because it contained a clause that allowed us to come |
| country. However, as are the tax laws in the UK, if this | | | | out to Nova Scotia within 14 days to view the house |
| is your second home or even your only home and you | | | | so the offer was subject to a satisfactory viewing of |
| are not a resident of Canada for tax purposes when | | | | the property and home inspection. |
| you sell the property, you will be taxed on the profit | | | | Home Inspection |
| you make on the sale. Check with your provinces tax | | | | The home inspection can be done in the presence of |
| office. It is also worth noting that although there is no | | | | the buyer and normally is a thorough general report |
| restriction on the amount of land you can purchase in | | | | which takes around two hours to complete. A few |
| Nova Scotia, as a non-resident, there are some | | | | days later we received a detailed report via e-mail and |
| restrictions in other provinces: Saskatchewan for | | | | a week later the same report presented nicely in a file |
| instance limits the amount of land to no more than 10 | | | | for our records. This gave us a really good idea of the |
| acres. | | | | condition of the house and what possible changes that |
| Can I live in Canada once I have bought my home? | | | | would need to be made in the future. |
| No....not permanently. Canada is such a beautiful | | | | Solicitor |
| country and Nova Scotia such a lovely province that | | | | Once the home inspection has been completed and |
| many people buy second homes or cabins here. You | | | | the offer accepted then all the details are passed to a |
| can stay in Canada on holiday for up to a 6 month | | | | local solicitor. The house purchasing process and |
| stretch (remember you are not allowed to work in the | | | | legalities are quicker to close (complete) here in Nova |
| country or province without a work permit). People | | | | Scotia and in our case just four weeks later |
| who spend their summers here or even 6 months of | | | | everything was signed and sealed following all the legal |
| the year (minus a day) are known as seasonal | | | | title checks and sheriffs certificate etc. Your solicitor |
| residents. | | | | should be able to advise you and send all |
| Is there anyway I can make Canada my home | | | | documentation by e-mail or fax to you which you then |
| temporarily or permanently? Yes.....many people come | | | | can sign and return the same way. Once again |
| to the province to study or learn a new trade, perhaps | | | | following the close of the sale we were sent a nicely |
| to prepare themselves for permanent immigration and | | | | presented file with all the documents labelled for our |
| even to boost their points. Other people find a HRDC | | | | records. |
| approved job and can work many years in Canada | | | | Payment for house and for services |
| even while their immigration process is underway. | | | | During your visit to Nova Scotia it is recommended |
| Selling up in the UK, buying a home in Canada and | | | | that you set up a non- residents bank account with a |
| moving out here on work or study permits is risky | | | | well known bank. You need to pre-book your |
| while awaiting permanent residency. There is no | | | | appointment and you will need forms of identification |
| guarantee that permanent residency will be granted, | | | | such as passport, birth certificate ...the bank will advise |
| however, this is a risk many are willing to take rather | | | | you. The process is very quick and you are |
| than waiting 3 or 4 years for processing. Only you can | | | | instantaneously given an 'instabank' card which you |
| weigh up the pros and cons and make that decision. | | | | can use immediately in most ATM's (cashpoint |
| For full details of the permanent immigration process | | | | machines) and in stores where you you can pay for |
| go to | | | | goods with your card by typing in your pin number on |
| A brief guide to house buying the process | | | | the keypad provided. Several cheques are also given |
| So you've been looking through the Canadian 'Multiple | | | | to you use until your proper cheque book arrives. |
| Listing System' at and seen some homes you really | | | | Setting up a Canadian bank account was useful as |
| like the look of . The next step is to make an enquiry | | | | we were able to transfer lump sums of money |
| about the property and you do this by contacting the | | | | through our UK bank. |
| 'Realtor' whose name appears on the listing. We have | | | | |