ELLICOTTVILLE, N.Y. — The trade war with Canada is now having an impact on the housing market in destination tourist spots like Ellicottville, Cattaraugus County, where many Canadians own second homes.

What You Need To Know

  • Tariffs on Canada starting to impact U.S. tourist communities that depend on Canadians to boost the economy

  • Chamber of Commerce leaders concerned about the potential impact on the business community

  • Other destination partnership groups don't want to ruin generations of positive relations 

Real estate brokers say since the Trump administration's imposed tariffs, a Canadian developer has paused his project, a handful of Canadian homeowners put their house on the market or sold it, with plans to leave the country, while a few prospective new buyers from Canada have backed out of their deals.

"It's very frustrating,” said Melanie Pritchard, associate real estate broker, ERA Team VP Real Estate. “I'd say 50% of our market. Not only do properties that are listed longer linger, their prices are going to go down, because they're not fetching what they used to fetch, and to get a buyer, they're going to have to drop prices. So, it's going to impact pricing.”

The Chamber of Commerce is equally concerned about housing, but says some businesses have yet to see an impact, while others have noticed decreased foot traffic.

Leaders are working to retain and attract Canadians, after many have vowed to ban travel into the U.S. 

"We don't want them to feel that way,” said Barb Pump, executive director, Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce. “As of right now, with everything that we're trying to do, we're still trying to promote, as always, and hopefully we won't see too much of a difference.”

Visit Buffalo Niagara is also working on some new marketing plans in response to the issue, as group leaders say they're very concerned about international border crossings and Canadian visitation numbers down double digits from this time last year.

Leaders say that could impact business, as well as the valued relationship with Canada dating back generations, at all ports of entry across upstate.

"These impacts and effects are being felt beyond just Buffalo and Western New York and really in any border community that depends on Canadian visitation,” said Brian Hayden, senior director, marketing and communication, Visit Buffalo Niagara. “It's definitely not unique to Buffalo and certainly is something that is more widespread.”