Predator Ridge Vs Arizona – A Comparison Of Golf Course Real Estate

If you read the real estate section of the daily newspaper, there have been a lot of articles written about Canadians purchasing golf course real estate in states like Arizona and Nevada, where an enormous over-supply of vacation homes has led to bankruptcies, foreclosures, short-sales, and drastic discounting of entire neighbourhoods full of high-end property going for very attractive prices.

However, keep in mind the old adage that “if it’s too good to be true, then it usually is.” There are pros and cons to all purchases, but a $400,000 purchase is not something to be taken lightly. Here are some considerations when it comes to Sunbelt vacation property.

First off, how many trips can you reasonably expect to make to Arizona in a year? Airfare schedules often change due to season supply and demand. It’s not as easy as hopping on a regularly scheduled domestic flight from Calgary, Edmonton, or Vancouver over to Kelowna.

Note that residency regulations in the United States prohibit Canadians from staying for longer than six months at a time and unless you qualify for a green card, you cannot reside or work in the United States.

Procuring adequate health care insurance is also a huge issue for Canadians residing in the United States. This is well above and beyond ‘travel insurance’ that you pay when you go on vacation—it’s comprehensive coverage that covers all manner of accidents or illness that can take place when you take up residence in the United States. It’s a cost factor that must be added in.

Furthermore, you will have to stay abreast of changing financing regulations and the tax implications, should you decide to either take out a bank loan or to rent your home during the time when you’re not staying there. You might find yourself with an unexpected tax bill from Uncle Sam.

Keep in mind that many golf courses are entirely separate business entities from the resort’s real estate holdings. If the golfers and vacationers stop coming, then the course may cease operation and your fairway frontage might quickly deteriorate.

Many Canadians who are purchasing real estate in the Sunbelt states are investors who are renting properties to local residents who have either been forced out of their own homes or have experienced some other misfortune

At Predator Ridge, the company that is running the golf course—also oversees the extensive community plan and land development. There are in fact, many Predator Ridge residents who own second or third homes in both Arizona and Predator Ridge.

“We are seeing many folks from western Canada who have made Predator Ridge their primary residence buying secondary homes in the Sunbelt states,” say real estate specialists Claire Radford.

“Moving to Predator Ridge and joining our wonderful community is a very important lifestyle transition. Regardless of where they buy, we strongly encourage everyone to do their homework so that they are 100 percent satisfied with their golf course real estate purchase.”