What is the best entity to hold real estate in Canada as a us citizen from California as a investor. 

Louis market and where it is heading; not only for investment purposes but just out of curiosity as a local citizen.

Even if you disclose that you are an agent who is not acting in any form of agency with the seller, but instead looking to make a profit you can still run into trouble.If the commission thinks that you used your "superior" knowledge over a "regular" citizen to steal equity you can end up in hot water.Ex: You tell Granny you will give her 20k for her house then you flip the contract to somebody for 40k.

I have spoken to a few lenders in the Chicago area but they are unable to assist me as I am not a resident or citizen of the US.

He indicates the problem is we were dealing with Citizens bank (which I did not want but my husband insisted).

If you planned to use a 3-year term, variable rate mortgage with a 30yr. amortization, you still have to qualify based on the 5-year fixed with 25yr. amortization).Standard downpayment is 20% - there are high ratio, insured mortgages available to Canadian citizens for owner occupied properties which have a 10% or 5% down payment.Mortgage interest on an investment property is a deductible business expense as it is in the U.S.A.  

A group of them were handled by Citizens Community Bank, based out of virginia. 

I'm using First Citizens Bank for Conventional Loans currently.  

I still go to the tax database to see if the owner is getting a senior citizen or homestead  discount.

Next, are these people US citizens?