Can Canadians save the U.S. housing market?

This was me yesterday, shoveling away the front of our house. Yes, I know this was not unique to Toronto and that the cold weather didn't just hit Canada but the U.S. as well. Still, if any of you -- Canadian or American -- had the choice, would you keep on living in this kind of weather? If people had the choice, wouldn't there be a natural migration during this time to a warmer climate? Doesn't the word snowbird ring a bell?

Well, the dire housing situation in the U.S. seems to have given many Canadians an opportunity they may have never thought possible before. As this Associated Press article tells it, Canadians are now looking at cheap homes in the U.S.

With the Canadian dollar rising vis-a-vis the U.S. dollar and the housing market in the U.S. hitting new lows daily, Canadians are looking for deals. Specifically, they are looking to buy condos in the sunbelt states for investment and convenience. Enjoying better economic conditions than currently in the U.S., Canadians (especially those in the chilly province of Alberta where the oil business has been booming) are looking for opportunities from Las Vegas and Arizona all the way to Florida.

However, if you were hoping this would help alleviate some of the excess supply in the U.S. housing market, the demand from Canadians is still far too small compared to the sheer size of the U.S. housing glut.

While hubby and I have in the past entertained the thought of renting a winter condo in Florida, but could never afford it, the possibilities presenting themselves now may prove to favor other options. Seriously, given the choice, who wouldn't choose this? If I could, I would!