Bank of Canada 2.25% ▬ 0.00|Prime 4.45% ▬ 0.00|GoC 5yr 3.01% ▲ 0.02|CMB 5yr 3.42% ▲ 0.01|CORRA 2.24% ▼ 0.01|as of Jun 15, 2026 · sample · view the rate board →|Bank of Canada 2.25% ▬ 0.00|Prime 4.45% ▬ 0.00|GoC 5yr 3.01% ▲ 0.02|CMB 5yr 3.42% ▲ 0.01|CORRA 2.24% ▼ 0.01|as of Jun 15, 2026 · sample · view the rate board →|

Financing a Multi-Unit or Mixed-Use Property

Whether you are buying your first apartment building or adding to a portfolio, multi-unit and mixed-use properties, where residential and commercial space share one roof, are financed mainly on the income the property produces, not on you alone. With the Halifax apartment market active, here is what shapes these files and the insured options worth knowing.

What Shapes the Deal

Property Income

Net operating income (NOI): the rent left after operating costs, before financing.

Debt Service Coverage

DSCR: whether that income covers the payments, with room to spare.

Unit Mix and Use

The residential and commercial split. Mixed-use ratios change how a deal is viewed.

Equity and Loan to Value

These properties usually call for more equity than a home. Terms vary by deal.

The Property

Condition, location, tenants, and lease terms across the units.

Insured Options (CMHC)

For qualifying rental buildings, CMHC insured financing, including MLI Select, may be available to review.

How a Deal Moves

  1. Define the Deal
  2. Pressure-test the Numbers
  3. Build the Package
  4. Present to Suitable Lenders
  5. Manage to Close

Your Options

Conventional and Insured

Most multi-unit and mixed-use deals are conventional (standard lender financing). For qualifying rental buildings, CMHC insured options, including the MLI Select program (an insured multi-unit program with tiers for energy efficiency and affordability), may be available to review and can suit the Halifax apartment market. Mixed-use adds a layer, since lenders weigh the residential and commercial portions differently. Any figures are illustrative only.

When Conventional Does Not Fit

Where a conventional path does not fit, alternative lenders may be considered, and private lending is one option to review, never a default or a recommendation. When it is considered, we explain the cost and the exit clearly before you commit.

The property has to carry the loan. The clearer the income, the units, and the leases, the smoother the file. When you start with us, we send a document request so you know exactly what to gather.
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Discuss Commercial Financing

Bring us the property and the numbers. A licensed member of our commercial team will follow up. We arrange financing through our team and the national TMG The Mortgage Group network.

Start a conversation
(902) 835-6420  |  contact@tmgharbourtown.ca

Information here is general and educational. It is not financial, legal, or lending advice, and it is not an offer of financing. CMHC and other insured options are subject to program eligibility and are framed here as options that may be available, not guarantees. Private lending is one option to review and is not suitable for every situation. Any figures are illustrative only. All financing is subject to lender and property review and supporting documentation. Submission of a form does not guarantee approval or financing.