The Buying Process For Canadians

1. Contact Paul Kaplan
We are professional Licensed California Realtors here to help guide you through each step of the purchasing process and to find your Desert Home. You can also check our Canadian Buyer's Guide for more information.

2. Get preapproved
Unless paying cash, get preapproved with a lender for financing the purchase of your property. Loans for Foreign Nationals (Most loan programs require 30%  to 50% down for foreign investors).

3. Search for properties.
We will email you listings that fit your search criteria, and promptly provide feedback on any property that interests you. When you're ready to visit Palm Springs, we'll meet with you and provide information about the various neighborhoods and properties.

4. Prepare and submit an offer for your favorite property.
Accompanying each offer will be an average good faith deposit of 3% of the purchase price. If your offer is accepted, open Escrow to process the transaction.

5. Home inspection by licensed professional
You will be given a report itemizing the status of any defective items discovered about the property. If unacceptable you can either negotiate to have the seller make repairs, or choose to cancel the contract. Inspections cost from $350+ depending on square footage.

All Properties in California are sold in "as is" condition

 A seller is not obligated to make any repairs; however you have the option of cancelling your contract during your contingency period, if after the inspection, you find that the house is not in the condition you expected at the time of purchase.

• Review title reports, all rules and restrictions, and Homeowner Association information (if applicable) regarding the property. If you do not accept these documents you may cancel the contract within specific time frames.
• Proceed with purchase.
• Sign loan documents (if applicable)
• Close escrow. Get keys to your new vacation home!

The purchase process typically takes from 45 to 60 days to process. You don't have to be present at the time Escrow closes.

Costs

Although negotiable, the average cost of the property will be the price of the property, plus approximately an additional 2% of the price to cover escrow and purchase expenses. (If you are paying cash, your closing costs will be less).  Additional costs include the Home Inspection, which will average around $400 to $500 depending on the size of the property. These costs are estimates, but may vary, depending on the type of loan you are getting for the property. (Your lender will give you a Good Faith Estimate that will provide more detailed costs). Additional estimated expenses:

• Property taxes: approximately 1.25% of the purchase price, per year
• Home Owner Fees (if buying a condominium) Varies per property, but averages around $400/month
• Land Lease Fees (if buying on lease land) Varies per property
• Maintenance Fees - Single Family homes: An average, you can expect to pay approximately $100 -$200/month for landscaping, $100/month for Pool maintenance for a typical 3 bedroom home. (These fees are not applicable if purchasing a condominium)
• Utilities: Gas, Electric, Water, Phone, Trash, Cable: Varies depending on usage.

*The above costs are strictly estimates and can be used as a general guideline, but are not guaranteed in any way.

TAXES 

If you rent out your property, rental income will be taxed by the IRS as income in the US.

If you do not have a US Social Security number you will be subject to the FIRPTA withholding.  This is a one time deposit against income tax that is taken out of the proceeds when you sell the property and held until you pay Income/capital gains taxes on the sale.  It is approximately 10% of the Sales Price. It isn't as encumbering as it reads.

*The Paul Kaplan Group does not give legal, tax or financial advice.  We advise you to consult the appropriate professionals prior to purchasing a home in the US.