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CSA TRAVEL INFORMATION GUIDE
State/provincial tourism boards produce a variety of travel and tourism resources that describe
highlights and attractions. These may help decide where you would like to consider purchasing
property in or avoiding tourist areas.
Many municipal and/or county governments produce their own community profile as a resource to
entice both potential residents and businesses. While some profiles are brief, comprising a few pages,
others are glossy multi-page professionally printed guides. Some are available for free, while other
deluxe versions are available for a fee.
Community profiles can include information on:
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Average cost of utility services (water, sewer, electricity, gas, etc.).
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Average income levels and nature of people’s employment.
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Background and history of the area or county.
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Community groups and service clubs.
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Community studies and task forces undertaken.
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Demographics (population, age, gender, etc of residents and future projections).
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Health and community support services.
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Normal yearly climate.
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Leading community industries/companies.
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Leisure and recreational facilities.
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Municipal and regional government system.
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Property taxes and assessment rates.
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Religious groups and places of worship.
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Residential, commercial, and industrial development.
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Transportation systems and public transit networks.
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Types of available housing.
Know what you want from your property (size, number of rooms, etc.), as well as what facilities you
require in the immediate area. For example, if golf is important, do not assume that because you
have bought a residence on a golf development, membership is included. On some developments
such facilities are included, while on others the costs may be prohibitive.
Knowing what kind of property and facilities you require will ultimately ease your purchase of
property in the United States.
Renting Out Your Property While You Are Away
While the majority of snowbird travellers completely close up their residence – Canadian principal
residence as well as winter vacation home – while they are away, some may decide to possibly rent
out their unoccupied residence as a way of generating money to offset the day-to-day operating
expenses as well as, by having someone occupy the property, decrease the potential for vandalism
and break-ins.