What Qualifies as Commercial? Financing 5+ Unit Residential Properties

 

In Canada, properties with 5 or more units are considered commercial.

 

We assist with:

 

• 5-plex, 6-plex, 8-plex purchases
• Small apartment buildings
• Mixed-use residential properties
• Portfolio refinancing
• Stabilized rental properties

 

Whether you're acquiring your first 8-unit property or expanding an existing portfolio, financing structure matters.

CMHC Insured Multi-Unit Financing

 

Through insured commercial lending programs, qualifying investors can access:

 

• High loan-to-value ratios
• Extended amortizations (up to 40–50 years in some cases)
• Competitive interest rates
• Improved cash flow
• Lower debt coverage requirements

 

CMHC-insured commercial mortgages are often ideal for stabilized rental properties.

 

We assist with full application structuring, lender coordination, and navigating insurer requirements.

MLI Select Financing: MLI Select – Incentivized Multi-Unit Lending

 

The MLI Select program rewards properties that meet specific criteria related to:

 

• Affordability
• Energy efficiency
• Accessibility
• Qualifying projects may benefit from:
• Higher loan-to-value
• Extended amortization
• Improved cash flow flexibility

 

We evaluate whether your property meets eligibility criteria and structure the file accordingly.

Conventional Commercial Mortgages

Conventional 5+ Unit Lending

 

For properties that do not qualify for CMHC insurance, conventional commercial mortgages remain a strong option.

 

We structure:

 

• 65–75% loan-to-value financing
• Market-based amortizations
• Competitive lender negotiations
• Portfolio refinancing
• We review:
• Net operating income (NOI)
• Debt coverage ratio (DCR)
• Property condition
• Market rents
• Borrower experience

 

Commercial lending is driven by numbers, not just personal income.

Acquisitions & Portfolio Growth

 

We assist with:

 

• Multi-unit property purchases
• Refinancing stabilized assets
• Equity take-out for portfolio expansion
• Vendor take-back structuring
• Bridge to CMHC take-out strategies

 

Strategic financing allows investors to scale responsibly.

Commercial lending requires:

 

• Detailed income analysis
• Rent roll review
• T12 financial statements
• Appraisal coordination
• Lender matching

 

At Iginla Group, we:

 

• Compare commercial lenders across Canada
• Structure CMHC and MLI Select files strategically
• Analyze cash flow and coverage ratios
• Ensure financing supports long-term portfolio growth

 

This is not transactional financing, it’s investment strategy.

Ready to Finance a Multi-Unit Property?

 

Whether you're purchasing an 8-plex in Edmonton or refinancing an apartment building in Calgary, we structure commercial mortgage solutions with performance in mind.