First National Financial LP
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Bridge financing for student housing properties

First National’s bridge loans are ideal for borrowers who have yet to secure standard financing or who need the time and flexibility to plot a better future for their student housing assets.


Our bridge loan terms typically 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. 

Additionally, a bridge loan can be used opportunistically to execute an operational strategy such as negotiating new leases or securing new tenants to position the property more positively for standard financing. This type of short-term financing can be used to provide a borrower with enough time to substantially rehabilitate and stabilize a property with the ultimate goal of positioning it for a First National insured or standard conventional financing.

Consistent cash flows, strong operational history and the borrower’s net worth and liquidity are key considerations for this type of financing. 

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Smart risk solutions in action for student housing

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

To refinance the property.

  • $5.1 Million
  • 17,488 sq. ft.
  • Oakville, Ontario
  • Conventional first mortgage
  • 5 years term, 25 years amortization
  • LTV: 66%

To provide construction financing for the development of the multiresidential building.

  • $31 Million
  • 104 units
  • Winnipeg, Manitoba
  • CMHC insured construction to term financing
  • 24 months term for construction/lease period, 10 years thereafter
  • Interest only amortization, 25 years thereafter
  • LTV: 65%

Refinance under the Market Program

  • $6.5 Million
  • 71 units
  • Edmonton, Alberta
  • CMHC insured first mortgage
  • 5 year term, 35 years amortization
  • LTV: 64.88%

Funds to be used for capital repairs as well as future acquisitions and new construction of rental properties.

  • $46 Million
  • 135 units
  • Port Coquitlam, British Columbia
  • CMHC insured first mortgage
  • 10 year term, 25 years amortization
  •  LTV: 84.30%

The borrower is refinancing a conventional bridge loan used to purchase the subject property.

  • $27.6 Million
  • 138 units
  • Waterloo, Ontario
  • CMHC insured first mortgage
  • 10 years term, 40 years amortization
  • LTV: 64.60%

Provide financing for the property to complete the construction.

  • $27.2 Million
  • 95 units
  • Montreal, Quebec
  • Insured 1st mortgage
  • 24 months term for construction, 5/10 thereafter, Interest only amortization during construction, 40 years thereafter
  • LTV: 93.79%"

To replace the existing land financing with VanCity and to repatriate equity to cover pre-development costs leading up to construction financing.

  • $2.2 Million
  • 87 units
  • Victoria, British Columbia
  • Pre-development financing
  • 1 year term, interest only amortization
  • LTV: 50%"

This is an active developer / investor in the Halifax market who will use the equity towards their next development or acquisition.

  • $13 Million
  • 41 units
  • Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
  • 10 year term, 50 years amortization
  • MLI Select"

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View other student housing solutions

CMHC financing

As a deeply experienced CMHC-approved lender, we are experts in securing insured financing that offers lower interest rates and longer amortizations. An insured mortgage enables borrowers to manage cash flow more effectively and realize higher investment returns.

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Standard financing

First National’s standard financing programs are favoured by borrowers who look to acquire a new property or refinance 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. 

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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.

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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.

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Construction financing

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

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Sign up for Market updates

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.