Q.....I have never heard of Saskatchewan. Where is it?
A.....Saskatchewan is a province of Western Canada bordering the states of Montana and North Dakota. One million people live on 250,000 square miles; southern half of the province is fertile farmland; northern Saskatchewan is wilderness of forests and lakes.
Q.....I like what I see. How can I buy your land?
A.....You can now make downpayment and payments with a major credit card or Pay Pal. Each property page on top there is a BUY NOW botton. By clicking on it one will be instructed how to make a payment on a particular property.
One can also mail a check or money-order to my Morse address:
515 Toews street
Morse Saskatchewan
Canada S0H 3C0
Q.....I am an American. Can I buy land in Canada? What about my citizenship?
A.....Americans and other foreigners may buy land in Saskatchewan without becoming Canadian citizens, nor do they need to lose their country's citizenship.
Canada's land ownership is similar to USA's, "Fee Simple" systen where you own land in freehold, and not some kind of Trust, like in Mexico.
- There are some restrictions on non-Canadian citizens or Residents aquiring more then 10 acres of agricultural land in Saskatchewan. Unless. At the time of land transfer to your name you reside anywhere in Canada for at least 183 days of the year. This 183-day rule is flexible so long as the spirit of residency is conformed to, i.e. one uses the land for personal enjoyment rather then a pure investment, one lives near to and uses the land during the growing season; one has a nearby house to land, and one has established some vaguely defined community, ties, such as going to coffee shops and engaging in local gossip, going to potluck suppers, getting a library card, opening a bank account, cutting grass Sunday mornings,- things like these, no kidding are considered as putting roots in a comminity!
-I must underline that thse residency requirements are entirely on a honour system. No one will go and seek you out.
Residency requirement has to be complied to by the time land is transfered to you, several years after initial Contract.
-To register the land, can be any person's name or entity. One needs no personal appearance, no ID to present, and no forms to fill on the part of the buyer.
-Residency requirement was established to discourage institutional and absentee investors in agricultural land. (Actually land is a lousy investment. I estimate farming returns about 2% per year.) Recreational land user and hobby farmers are certanly encouraged to live and invest in Saskatchewan.
-Official description of Residency requirement, link on the right.
Q.....I am an American. How can I live in Canada and enjoy my land?
A.....You may stay in Canada either by visiting; or by becoming a "Landed Immigrant"(US equivalent of "Green Card"). American visitors to Canada may enter the country visa-free, and stay upto 6 months per stay. Visit can be extended by simply leaving Canada for a short time and entering again. If you want to make Canada a permanent residence it is recommended to apply to become a "Landed Immigrant". Canada accepts over 250,000 immigrants every year, from refugees, to skilled engineers. Business people and farmers are also a desired category of people accepted to Canada. Application takes about 6 to 9 months. For full details it is a good idea to contact an immigration lawyer, and government immigration website.
If you have a criminal record, do not disclose it to a border agent. Both Canada and US barr visitors with records.
Avoid isolated land crossings. Border agents there can be assholes.
Best is to fly-in a large city.
Q.....I heard that in Canada guns are illegal? Is it true?
A.....In Canada only handguns are illegal. Rifles and shotguns are not difficult to 'get'. Hunting is very popular. Hunt for black bear, white tail deer, elk, moose, ducks, geese. One must still conform to Saskatchewan hunting regulations.
Q.....Is there any restriction of what I can do with my land?
A.....In Municipalities where I own land the population is very low, and officials have not yet seen the need to erect stiff barriers to activities people may pursue on their land. Therefore there are few or no restrictions, you may engage in any lawfull pursuit you wish: build any type of dwelling you wish; farm any crops, raise any animals; no well or septic permit required.
Q.....Who owns the mineral rights? Timber rights? Farming rights?
A.....In Saskatchewan in most(I have one exception, Calder land)cases mineral rights are owned by the Crown. Timber rights are always with the owner. In Municipalities where my land is there is no mineral exploration. The most impotrant wealth of this land is its fertile soil, which belongs to the owner.
Timber rights and trees belong to the owner, however, trees shall not be removed until land is paid off, unless trees are used for the improvement of the property.
Farming rights belong to the owner, as well it is the responsibility of the owner to farm the land or have it farmed(rent it out) in order to keep it in good condition. Some neighbours may be interested in farming it. Income from rent is small though.
Q.....How much property taxes, other fees?
A.....Land owner pays only property taxes on the land. There is no other fees connected to land ownership. Typical 80 acre parcel is taxed about US$180/year, more or less. Farm related outbuildingd are tax excempt. Farm residence is tax excempt as long as the value of the home does not exceed the value of the land. You are taxed on the value of land or house, whichever is greater.
Property taxes are paid at the end of the year.
The land owner need not be a farmer to pay this low tax rate. All ratepayers in Municipality pay the same rate.
Q.....Why land prices so low? What's the catch?
A.....There is no catch. The land is prime, productive farmland. You enjoy full ownership rights.
There are several factors contributing to the low price of land.
Low commodity prices that farmers recieve for their products makes farming less attractive, thus reducing the demand for farmland;
Lack of government subsidies for Saskatchewan farmers;
Strong American dollar versus Canadian dollar make land prices appear low in US funds. Ownership restriction on non-Canadian residents making smaller pool of potential buyers.
I purchase large parcels of farmland and am able to pass on the savings to you on smaller acreages.
Q.....What is the weather like in Saskatchewan? I heard it is very cold. Is it true?
A.....Healthy climate, that's what attracted the settlers to Saskatchewan in the first place. Saskatchewan enjoys continental climate; cold winters, hot summers, pleasant springs and falls; Spring thaw comes mid March; apple and cherry blooms late in April, at the same time field work begins; Summer days last from 5am to 10pm, harvest time in August; pleasant two months fall; early November first snow is due. Saskatchewan's summer temperature hovers around 80 degrees F, occational heat wave is moderated by dry air; winter daytime high is around minus 16 dergrees F; the cold is moderated by brilliant sunshine, dry air, and occational warm Chinook winds from Pacific.
Saskatchewan's climate is not unlike that of Mid-Western states that lie far to the south.
If you have any other questions please do not hesitate to contact me.
