Standard financing for student housing properties

In addition to CMHC-insured mortgages, First National provides other forms of standard financing including conventional mortgages to enable the acquisition or refinancing of student housing properties.

Conventional financing is an excellent option for borrowers who want different loan terms and are unable to meet CMHC requirements.

The conventional financing loan terms typically range between three and five years; however, longer terms are also available.

Properties with stable cash flow and consistent operating histories are favourable candidates for standard financing.

Speak to one of our empowered advisors to assess options and determine the best course of action for finding and securing a smart-risk mortgage, insured or conventional.

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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.

CMHC MLI Select refinance with 50 basis points for energy efficiency, repaying the First National bridge loan and generating working capital through equity take-out

$25.6 Million
836 units
North Vancouver, BC

CMHC insured mortgage
5 year term, 40 years amortization
LTV: 70%

CMHC MLI Select internal refinance of renovated assets to reinvest capital into ongoing property enhancements

$23.8 Million
143 units
Montreal, QC

CMHC insured mortgage
5 year term, 40 years amortization
LTV: 85%

Portfolio optimization through a CMHC Standard Market refinance, unlocking capital for targeted property improvements

$23 Million
175 units
Halifax, NS

CMHC insured mortgage
10 year term, 40 years amortization
LTV: 58%

Strategic CMHC Standard Market refinance of a fully renovated multi-family asset to fuel future acquisitions

$12.1 Million
58 units
Montreal, QC

CMHC insured mortgage
10 year term, 40 years amortization
LTV: 64%

CMHC insured financing for an acquisition of a newly constructed 90 townhouse project

$25.3 Million
90 units
Edmonton, AB

CMHC insured mortgage
10 year term, 40 year amortization
LTV: 85%

Refinance of unencumbered property containing 308 units, to be used for capital repairs

$40 Million
320 units
Toronto, ON

CMHC insured mortgage
10 year term, 25 years amortization
LTV: 49%

Senior Retirement residence with 109 units - CMHC insured mortgage to convert construction facility to term loan

$32.5 Million
109 units
Georgetown, ON

CMHC insured mortgage
10 years term, 40 years amortization
LTV: 79.5%

Completion take out of 4 storey podium level of 25 storey tower

$28.7 Million
77 units
Coquitlam, BC

CMHC insured mortgage
5 years term, 45 years amortization
LTV: 83.73%

View all recent financings

Latest resources and insights

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

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View other student housing mortgage 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.

Bridge financing

First National’s 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.

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.