Student housing

Short-term (bridge) financing

Bridge financing addresses a borrower’s short-term needs, usually three months to three years. Some borrowers choose bridge financing when they need flexibility to decide about the future of an asset (i.e. contemplating a sale, impending change in ownership structure or operational planning) or time to coordinate a standard financing option.

For alternative assets, short-term financing may be a strategic solution if many of the property’s leases are approaching maturity.

The flexibility enables the borrower to negotiate new leases or acquire new tenants, ultimately positioning the property more positively for standard financing.

Bridge financing typically includes floating interest rates and usually allows some form of early prepayment. Consistent cash flows and strong operational histories are key considerations for this type of financing.

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.

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.

The loan will be utilized to repay the existing construction

$11 Million
18 Units
Vancouver, British Columbia

CMHC Insured
5 years term, 40 years amortization
LTV: 92.54%

Equity shall be used to facilitate the acquisition

$21 Million
124,662 sq. ft.
Calgary, Alberta

Conventional Mortgage
7 years term, 25 years amortization
LTV: 54.00%

To replace the existing land financing

$3.5 Million
25,619 sq. ft.
Victoria, British Columbia

Conventional Mortgage
1 year term, amortization Interest only
LTV: 43.00%

Refinance with MLI Select

$5.2 Million
25 units
Montreal, Quebec

CMHC Insured
5 years term, 40 years amortization
LTV: 92.54%

Refinance of an industrial building

$21.6 Million
1 unit
Longueuil, Quebec

Conventional Mortgage
7 years term, 25 years amortization
LTV: 63.28%

To facilitate construction financing of a seven-story apartment

$26 Million
198 units
Sainte-Adele, Quebec

CMHC financing
3 years term, amortization Interest only
LTV: 84.90%"

CMHC Insured first mortgage purchase of the property

$1.6 Million
14 units
Montreal, Quebec

CMHC Insured
5 years term, 30 years amortization
LTV: 84.99%

New CMHC insured 1st mortgage to purchase the subject property

$3 Million
35 units
Bath, Ontario

CMHC Insured
5 years term, 35 years amortization
LTV: 81.59%

View all recent financings

Latest resources and insights

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

Growth, Value and Risk

Bank of Canada maintains its benchmark interest rate to 4.50%

The Bank of Canada made its second policy decision of 2023. After eight consecutive increases stretching back to March 2022, the Bank finally held its overnight rate steady at 4.50%.

View all

Expert insights

A First National business update from Jeremy Wedgbury

Economic headwinds caused by inflation, interest rates and supply chain shortages continue to make for a uniquely challenging environment here in the first week of March 2023.

View all

Borrower perspectives

Borrower Perspectives: Scott Bearss, Partner and VP Finance - Elevate Development Corporation

We spoke to Scott about his perspectives on how the pandemic has impacted the industry, Elevate’s vision for growth, the company’s priorities heading for 2022/2023 and why he finds First National’s integrity and openness empowering.

View all

Capital Markets update

Market Commentary: SVB, volatility and rates

An overview of what’s happening in the market from Paul Uffelmann, Director, on our capital markets team.

View all

View other student housing solutions

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sign up for Market updates