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Some Canadian snowbirds are reconsidering Florida as insurance, condominium fees and the weaker Canadian dollar make owning a seasonal home more expensive. But the evidence behind the “forced out for good” framing is one Ontario couple’s reported decision to sell—not proof of a mass departure.
What changed for one Ontario couple
In a February 20, 2026 account, Money.ca reported that Ontario retirees Cesidia Cedrone and her husband sold their Florida condo after costs rose. Cedrone told CBC News, as quoted by Money.ca, “Things changed so drastically.” The report identifies a weaker Canadian dollar, higher insurance costs and condo fees as factors in their decision. Read Money.ca’s account.
The sharpest figure in the story is specific to this couple: Money.ca reported that their annual property-insurance premium rose from a few thousand dollars to US$16,000. That is not a Florida average. The same article says some homeowners report maintenance fees doubling in recent years, but it does not offer a representative sample that would establish how common that increase is.
Why the costs can add up
Recurring costs of owning
A seasonal home can bring recurring expenses even when its owners are in Canada: insurance, property taxes, condominium fees and maintenance. A large increase in any one item can change the annual calculation, especially when several rise together. The available reporting does not provide a like-for-like statewide budget showing what a typical Canadian owner pays.
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The exchange rate affects the Canadian-dollar bill
When expenses are charged in U.S. dollars, a weaker Canadian dollar means more Canadian dollars are needed to pay the same USD amount. The exchange rate does not itself raise a Florida insurer’s or condo association’s bill in U.S. dollars, but it can make that bill more burdensome for a Canadian household. Money.ca identifies the weaker loonie as one factor in the Cedrones’ decision; MTFX also explains the currency consideration for Canadians planning a Florida stay. See MTFX’s Canadian snowbird guide.
Visits are not the same as homeowners leaving
Global News reported that Canadian visits to Florida in October through December 2025 were down 13.1% compared with the same period in 2024, citing Visit Florida data. That measures visits, not how many snowbirds sold homes, stopped traveling permanently or were priced out. It is not evidence by itself of a permanent exodus. Read Global News’ report.
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Florida’s proposed property-tax change is not broad relief for seasonal owners
As of Global News’ October 5, 2026 report, Florida voters were scheduled to decide Amendment 3 on November 3, 2026. The proposal would increase the homestead exemption for qualifying Florida residents if approved. Seasonal non-homestead owners, including Canadians who do not qualify as Florida residents for the exemption, generally would not receive that expanded benefit. The report also describes a lower assessment-increase cap for non-homestead property. The measure was still proposed at the time of the report; it should not be treated as enacted. Global News covered the proposal.
Wealth Professional reported in 2026 that the Canadian consulate in Miami estimated more than 500,000 Canadians own residential property in Florida and pay an estimated US$600 million in property taxes annually. Those are attributed estimates, not an independently reviewed official dataset or a count of owners planning to leave. Read Wealth Professional’s report.
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How to decide whether to keep, rent or sell
There is no established apples-to-apples annual comparison showing that owning or renting is financially best for every Canadian snowbird. Compare the options using your own quotes, bills and likely use of the property:
- Annual carrying cost: Add insurance, property tax, condo fees, maintenance and other recurring ownership expenses. Compare that total with the cost of renting for the length and timing of the stays you actually expect.
- Insurance and condo exposure: Check current renewal terms, deductibles, exclusions and association fees rather than relying on another owner’s premium or fee increase.
- Currency cost: Estimate the Canadian-dollar cost of recurring USD payments at a rate you can realistically obtain, including any conversion or payment charges.
- Medical coverage: Confirm what your provincial plan covers during an extended absence and whether private travel medical insurance fits your trip and health circumstances. Coverage varies; review the terms with your province and insurer before relying on it. Snowbird Advisor’s travel-insurance resource discusses coverage considerations.
- Flexibility: Owning may suit people who use the property often and value having a familiar home base. Renting avoids some property-specific commitments and may fit people whose travel plans or costs have become less predictable.
Long stays involve separate immigration and tax-day questions
Permission to visit the United States and the U.S. tax substantial-presence test are separate matters. The MTFX guide describes the substantial-presence calculation as weighted across three years; a long stay may therefore require more than simply counting days in the current year. For an individual situation, check current IRS guidance and consult a qualified cross-border tax professional. MTFX’s guide covers common snowbird questions.
Do not assume that meeting an entry rule resolves tax residency, or that a tax-day calculation grants permission to stay. Canadians planning an extended visit should verify current U.S. entry requirements and keep an accurate record of travel dates.
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