Your place in the sun

A second home doesn't always mean a cottage up north. More and more Canadians are exploring the option of buying a slice of real estate under the sun down south. Some of the options are surprisingly affordable.

Florida: Housing to fit all pocketbooks
There are bargains galore south of the border these days. Just ask a pair of snowbirds from Halton Hills who bought a house for $19,000 after discovering the Florida phenomenon of manufactured homes. And you don't even need to go to a real estate agent to buy one.

Mexican getaway homes
At one time, buying beachfront property in Mexico was almost impossible for foreigners. But no more. Low property taxes and a low cost of living make Mexico an attractive getaway. And then, of course, there's the climate.

Arizona: Bridge over desert waters
In the middle of the Mojave Desert sits Lake Havasu, a Mecca for swimmers, anglers and even surfers. And, if that's not enough, they have the original London Bridge. The area welcomes about 3.5 million visitors a year, many of them Canadian. And some of those Canadians like it so much, they buy property in Arizona's Lake Havasu City.

Hidden gems in Hawaii
Alex Gray didn't look to the Toronto waterfront, up-and-coming Liberty Village or glitzy Yorkville when was in the market for a condo recently. He looked to the white sand beaches and lush tropical landscape of Maui.

Panama: Buying a little highrise paradise
Joy Bannister bought a condo while holidaying in Panama two years ago. When she returned to Toronto, everyone told her that she was crazy.

Gringo offers decor help
Anyone who has purchased a vacation or retirement home down south will tell you that buying is the easy part. But furnishing the place – now that's another thing altogether.

Buying an island unto itself
Owning a private island might be the ultimate getaway fantasy. For those rich enough to indulge, there is a Toronto-based company that specializes in making that fantasy a reality.