First National Financial LP
apartment

Multi-family residential

Smart-risk lending solutions for multi-family property owners and developers

With population growth, Canada needs multi-family residential housing and First National leads the country in financing it. 

The multi-family asset class is the largest and most popular form of commercial real estate in Canada and accounts for the single largest portion of our lending book. As empowered advisors, we provide smart-risk solutions, both insured and conventional, to property owners with small or large portfolios alike.  

Multi-family assets we finance:

Throughout our history of lending across Canada, we have amassed significant experience in financing multi-family properties with five or more self-contained rental units including:

  • Purpose built rental apartment buildings (affordable and market rents)
  • Condominiums
  • Townhouses
  • Row houses 

We also provide full support and expertise to owners and developers of student and retirement housing. 

 

CMHC financing

As Canada’s largest CMHC-approved apartment lender, we are experts in securing insured financing that offers lower interest rates, higher loan-to-value ratios, and longer amortizations. An insured mortgage enables borrowers to manage cash flow more effectively and realize higher investment returns.

Learn More: CMHC financing

Standard Financing

First National’s standard financing programs are favoured by borrowers when acquiring a new property or refinancing an existing building. Loan terms typically range from three to five years, have a fixed interest rate, and are closed to prepayment for the term’s duration. 

Learn More: Standard Financing

Bridge financing

First National’s bridge loan terms usually range from three months to three years, include floating interest rates and allow some form of early prepayment. Borrowers choose this solution until standard financing is secured or while they contemplate a property sale, a change in ownership structure or enhance their tenant roster. 

Learn More: Bridge financing

Asset repositioning

First National enables owners to access a property’s equity for a short term, typically two years or less, to fund capital improvements or repairs without the need to raise capital from personal sources or less flexible, higher-cost alternatives.

Learn More: Asset repositioning

Secondary financing

A First National second mortgage enables borrowers to access property equity and use it to purchase another asset or renovate/repair their existing property.

Learn More: Secondary financing

Construction financing

A First National construction loan, whether CMHC insured or conventional, provides funds to cover the cost of building or rehabilitating a multi-family property with terms typically of three years or less.

Learn More: Construction financing

Smart risk solutions in action for multi-family

See how we’ve applied our financing products innovatively to help multi-family borrowers achieve their goals with performance and value.

CMHC MLI Select mortgage refinancing to repay the construction loan for a newly developed 50-unit apartment.

  • $12.2 M
  • 50 units
  • Truro, NS
  • CMHC insured first mortgage
  • 5 years term, 50 years amortization
  • LTV: 85%

CMHC Market refinance to pay off the construction mortgage on a newly built 117-unit rental building.

  • $34.3 M
  • 117 units
  • Montreal, QC
  • CMHC insured first mortgage
  • 10 years term, 40 years amortization
  • LTV: 69%

Non-recourse first mortgage under CMHC Market to extract equity for improvements to other properties.

  • $10.8M
  • 69 units
  • Dartmouth, NS
  • CMHC insured first mortgage
  • 10 years term, 35 years amortization
  • LTV: 65%

CMHC MLI Select construction loan for developing an 83-unit purpose-built rental apartment.

  • $51.5M
  • 86 units
  • Saugeen Shores (Port Elgin), Ontario
  • CMHC insured first mortgage
  • 5 years term, 50 years amortization
  • LTV: 92%

CMHC MLI Select refinancing to pay off the existing mortgage and extract equity for property upgrades and future investments

  • $51.5 M
  • 116 units
  • London, ON
  • CMHC insured first mortgage
  • 5 years term, 40 years amortization
  • LTV: 85%

Construction mortgage for the development of 116 stacked townhomes

  • $61.8 M
  • 197 units
  • Toronto, ON
  • CMHC insured first mortgage
  • 10 years term, 40 years amortization
  • LTV: 71%

Refinance to pay out of an existing mortgage and a credit facility secured by the borrower's real estate portfolio

  • $3.9 M
  • 25 units
  • Iqaluit, NU
  • CMHC insured first mortgage
  • 10 years term, 40 years amortization
  • LTV: 65.1%

Refinance of an existing mortgage and equity extraction for capital repairs for other rental properties

  • $3.6 M
  • 54 units
  • Ottawa, ON
  • CMHC insured mortgage
  • 10 years term, 40 years amortization
  • LTV: 32%

Latest resources and insights

Original perspectives and personal viewpoints on developments and industry trends in commercial real estate.

Growth, Value and Risk

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In a decision sure to be cheered by property owners and businesses far and wide, the Bank of Canada today reduced its policy interest rate for the fourth time in 2024.

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Expert insights

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As we head into the final two months of 2024, it’s becoming clear that the market is gearing up for better times ahead on the back of four Bank of Canada rate reductions since June including last week’s 50 basis point cut.

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Borrower perspectives

Founded in 1992 in Leamington, Ontario, Piroli Group started in general contracting (under the name of Piroli Construction) but has evolved into a multi-faceted development group.

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Capital Markets update

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First National’s, Jason Ellis, provides an overview as well as an update of the markets including rates, Government announcements and changes to the Commercial mortgages. Read an overview here.

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Economic and political developments – both in Canada and globally – can impact the commercial real estate market. First National experts follow these trends closely and provide honest, real and professional perspectives into what they could mean for your portfolio.