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    Commercial Real Estate

    Commercial real estate financing may support a purchase, refinance or renovation. A financing partner will assess the property, occupancy, cash flow, borrower profile and proposed use before deciding whether to present an offer.

    Quick Facts

    Loan Amount

    Partner-specific - Partner-specific

    Rate / Cost

    Varies

    Funding Time

    Varies

    Term Length

    Varies

    Key Benefits

    • Amounts depend on the property and applicant
    • Available across all provinces
    • Credit and property underwriting
    • Repayment structures vary
    • Multiple property types

    Requirements

    • Property appraisal
    • Business financial documents
    • Personal financial information may be required
    • Credit and property review
    • Equity or down-payment requirements vary

    Ideal For

    Office buildings
    Retail spaces
    Industrial properties
    Multi-family residential
    Mixed-use developments
    Warehouse and storage

    Key facts

    Reviewed by Apply For Financing editorial team on 2026-08-28. Apply For Financing introduces businesses to financing partners and does not lend.

    • Commercial real estate financing can support a purchase, refinance or improvement of eligible business property.
    • Apply For Financing introduces businesses to third-party financing partners. We do not originate mortgages or appraise property.
    • Partners underwrite the property, occupancy, net operating income and the borrower's ability to pay — not only the asking price.
    • We do not publish a typical loan-to-value or rate band because leverage follows property type, occupancy and sponsor strength.
    • Debt-service coverage ratio (DSCR) compares net operating income with annual debt service. Many partners look for DSCR above 1.0, with the exact floor set in their credit box.
    • Owner-occupied and investment properties are underwritten differently. Confirm occupancy rules before treating a quote as portable.
    • Partners commonly ask for an appraisal, rent roll or operating statements, and a down-payment or equity source.
    • This product is usually a poor fit for short-term working capital with no property in the transaction.

    How this product is usually structured

    Typical usePurchase, refinance or improve office, retail, industrial or mixed-use property
    Cost basisInterest, points, appraisal and closing costs
    AmountA function of value, DSCR and the partner's leverage limit
    TermOften years, sometimes with a balloon or refinance event
    RepaymentAmortizing payments; interest-only periods if offered
    SecurityA mortgage or charge on the property plus possible guarantees
    TimingLonger than working-capital products because of appraisal and title
    Main riskVacancy, rate reset and owing more than the property supports

    Who it is usually for

    • An identified property the partner is willing to underwrite
    • Equity or down payment that meets the partner's requirement
    • Cash flow or sponsor strength that supports the proposed debt service

    What partners typically ask for

    • Purchase contract or refinance statement
    • Appraisal, environmental and title items as required
    • Operating statements, rent roll or business financials
    • Proof of down payment or existing equity

    DSCR on a hypothetical property

    If net operating income is $180,000 and annual debt service is $150,000, DSCR is 1.20. That means the property produces $1.20 of NOI for every $1.00 of scheduled debt service. A partner may still decline the file because of occupancy, sponsor credit, property type or leverage. Use the DSCR calculator to change NOI and debt service; the ratio is not an approval.

    Alternatives and when this is not a fit

    • Short-term operating cash with no property
    • A property type the partner's credit box excludes
    • A purchase that depends on unsourced down-payment funds

    Canadian commercial mortgages are private-credit products. CSBFP can support eligible real-property purchases within ISED guidelines and the $1 million term-loan cap, subject to a participating lender.

    Sources

    Submitting the application form sends your details so we can introduce you to a financing partner. Partners may compensate us. We do not guarantee an offer.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    The equity or down-payment requirement depends on the property, occupancy, financing structure, borrower profile and partner. Confirm the required cash contribution directly with the financing partner.

    Yes, we work with lenders who finance both owner-occupied and investment commercial properties, though terms may differ.

    Most commercial property types qualify, including office, retail, industrial, multi-family, mixed-use, and special-purpose properties.

    Have more questions? Visit our full FAQ page or contact us.

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