Commercial Mortgage Broker (Canada)

Commercial Real Estate Financing Across Canada

We arrange commercial mortgages for property purchases, refinances, construction projects, and private lending across Canada. Our team structures each transaction to fit your goals, then sources capital from banks, credit unions, CMHC programs, and private lenders so you can compare options and move forward with confidence.

Get a Quote

About Us

Why use a commercial mortgage broker?

Commercial real estate financing is more complex than residential lending. Loan amounts are larger, underwriting standards vary by lender, and the terms you receive depend heavily on how your deal is structured and presented.

Going direct to a bank

One set of terms based on that institution’s appetite
No competitive tension on rate or structure
You manage the packaging, submission, and follow-up yourself
If declined, you start over at another lender

Working with a broker

Multiple lenders competing for your deal simultaneously
Better rates, higher leverage, and flexible prepayment terms
Professionally packaged submission that meets institutional standards
One point of contact from application through closing

This matters most for transactions that don’t fit a standard template: mixed-use properties, value-add projects, properties in secondary markets, borrowers with complex corporate structures, or deals that need creative capital stacking. A broker who understands how different lenders assess these situations can identify potential issues before they surface in underwriting and keep the transaction on schedule.

How it Works

From First Conversation to Funded Deal

Every commercial mortgage follows the same core path, whether you are purchasing your first investment property or refinancing a portfolio. Here is how we take a deal from initial conversation to funded closing, with one point of contact managing the process from start to finish.

Step 1

Tell us about your deal

We start with a conversation about your property, your objectives, and your timeline. Purchase, refinance, construction, or restructuring.

Step 2

We structure and package

We organize your financials and property information into a lender-ready submission. Proper packaging is where most borrowers lose ground going direct.

Step 3

Lender sourcing and negotiation

We present your deal to the best-fit lenders, negotiate terms as offers come in, and lay your options out side by side.

Step 4

Closing and funding

Once you select a lender, we coordinate appraisal, legal review, condition satisfaction, and funding. We stay involved through every step.

Locations

Where We Can Help

Our commercial mortgage broker services cover British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario, including major markets like Vancouver, Surrey, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, and Ottawa. Each province has its own lending landscape, and we work with local and national lenders in every region to find the right fit for your deal.

British Columbia

Commercial mortgages in British Columbia for acquisitions, refinances, and construction, covering Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland, and the Okanagan.

Alberta

Commercial mortgages in Alberta for purchase, refinance, and development. From Calgary to Edmonton and beyond. Leverage lender competition to get stronger rates and structures.

Ontario

Commercial mortgages in Ontario for investors and owner-occupiers. Toronto, Ottawa, and across the province. We package your file to earn sharper pricing and smoother closings.

Solutions

What We Finance

We handle the full range of commercial real estate financing: acquisitions, refinances, CMHC-insured apartment loans, construction and development financing, bridge loans for time-sensitive transactions, private mortgages for non-standard situations, second mortgages, and mezzanine financing for larger capital stacks. Every deal has a structure that works best for it, and our job is to find that structure and connect it with the right capital source.

Buy a Commercial Property (Owner-User or Investor)

Acquire a building for your business or portfolio with financing tailored to cash flow, down payment, and property type—retail, office, industrial, or multifamily.

CMHC-Insured Apartment Financing (5+ Units)

For landlords and developers seeking the lowest long-term rates on rental buildings, with CMHC insurance, longer amortizations, and strong proceeds based on stabilized NOI.

Construction Financing (Commercial & Multifamily Developers)

For builders and owners needing land, site-servicing, and ground-up construction loans with interest-only draws, cost-to-complete controls, and flexible take-out plans.

Refinance a Commercial Property (Equity Take-Out)

For landlords and owner-users unlocking equity to fund renovations, acquisitions, or working capital—optimize LTV, term, and prepayment to fit your strategy.

Bridge Loans for Time-Sensitive Purchases & Refinances

For buyers facing tight timelines, conditional sales, or repositioning plans—short-term interest-only financing until lease-up, stabilization, or permanent debt.

Private Commercial Mortgages (Alternative Lending)

For unique, story-based files—imperfect credit, complex income, or transitional assets—fast approvals, flexible structure, and common-sense underwriting.

Second Mortgages on Commercial Real Estate

For owners needing additional capital behind a first mortgage—fund improvements, payouts, or growth without disturbing existing financing.

Mezzanine Financing for Larger Projects

For developers and investors filling the gap between equity and senior debt—enhance leverage, maintain control, and complete your capital stack efficiently.

Property Types

Commercial Properties We Finance

Industrial, retail, office, multifamily and more. If the real estate produces income, or will, our commercial mortgage broker team can likely structure financing for it.

Multi-Family Residential

Financing for apartment buildings and mixed-use rentals. Buy, refinance, or build with terms that fit your rental income and goals.

Office Property

Financing for office space, from small suites to full buildings. Buy, refinance, renovate, or adapt for new tenants and better use.

Industrial Property

Financing for warehouses, logistics space, and light industrial. Buy, refinance, expand, or build with options that support reliable operations and growth.

Retail & Shopping Centres

Financing for streetfront shops and shopping centers. Buy, refinance, renovate, or complete tenant improvements to strengthen cash flow.

Hotel & Hospitality

Financing for hotels, motels, and boutique properties. Buy, refinance, refresh rooms, or reposition to improve occupancy and revenue.

Land Development

Financing for raw or serviced land. Acquire, subdivide, service, or prepare sites for construction with options suited to each phase.

Farm & Agriculture

Financing for farmland and agri-business facilities. Buy, refinance, expand operations, or upgrade equipment and infrastructure.

Self Storage

Financing for storage facilities of all sizes. Buy, refinance, expand, or convert properties with stable, recurring income.

Student Housing

Financing for purpose-built or converted student rentals. Buy, refinance, renovate, or build near campus with options aligned to academic cycles.

Retirement Housing

Financing for senior living communities. Buy, refinance, renovate, or build with a focus on stable occupancy and resident care.

Why Borrowers Choose Cedar Commercial

Commercial mortgage brokerage is about more than collecting documents and submitting applications. The brokers who get the best results are the ones who understand the real estate, the borrower’s strategy, and the lender’s perspective all at once.

At Cedar Commercial, we focus on structuring the transaction correctly before approaching the market. That means analyzing your property’s income and expenses, understanding your short and long-term plans for the asset, and identifying which lenders are actively competing for your type of deal. When a submission lands on an underwriter’s desk with the right story, the right numbers, and the right supporting documents, it moves faster and closes on better terms.

Access to the full lending market

We work with Schedule I and Schedule II banks, credit unions, life insurance companies, CMHC-approved lenders, and private capital providers. This range matters because the best lender for a stabilized apartment building is rarely the best lender for a construction project or a bridge loan.

Straightforward communication

You will always know where your deal stands, what the next step is, and what your options are. We do not disappear into a black box after collecting your documents.

Experience across property types

Multifamily, industrial, retail, office, hospitality, land, and specialty assets. Acquisitions, refinances, construction, bridge, mezzanine. The breadth of what we have financed means we can spot issues early and structure around them before they become problems in underwriting.

Frequently Asked Questions

A commercial mortgage broker works on behalf of the borrower to arrange financing for commercial real estate. This includes analyzing the deal, preparing a lender-ready submission package, presenting the file to multiple lenders, negotiating terms, and coordinating the transaction through to closing. The broker’s job is to get you the best available rate, leverage, and structure for your specific property and financial situation.

Most commercial mortgage brokers charge a fee of 0.50% to 1.50% of the loan amount, depending on the size and complexity of the transaction. For conventional deals placed with banks or credit unions, the fee is typically at the lower end of that range. More complex transactions involving private lenders, bridge financing, or creative structuring may carry higher fees. In many cases, the lender also pays the broker a commission, which can offset or eliminate the borrower’s direct cost.

Timelines depend on the lender and the complexity of the deal. Bank and CMHC-insured financing typically takes four to eight weeks from application to funding. Private and bridge loans can close in as little as one to three weeks. Having a properly packaged submission with complete financials and property documentation is the single biggest factor in keeping the timeline on track.

Most conventional commercial lenders require a minimum down payment of 25%, which translates to a maximum loan-to-value (LTV) ratio of 75%. CMHC-insured financing for qualifying rental properties can allow higher leverage, sometimes up to 85% LTV. Private lenders set their own requirements, which may be higher or lower depending on the property and the borrower’s situation.

Institutional lenders (banks, credit unions) generally look for a personal credit score of 650 or higher, though the property’s income and the deal’s overall strength matter more than personal credit alone in commercial lending. Private lenders place less emphasis on credit scores and focus more on the property’s value and the borrower’s equity position. If your credit is a concern, we can advise on which lenders are the best fit.

Commercial mortgages are underwritten based on the property’s income (net operating income, debt service coverage ratio) rather than primarily on the borrower’s personal income. They typically have shorter terms (1 to 10 years vs. 25 to 30 years for residential), require larger down payments, and involve more detailed documentation. Rates are generally higher than residential rates because of the additional risk, and prepayment penalties are structured differently.

Yes. Commercial mortgage refinancing allows you to access the equity in your property without selling it. Funds from a refinance can be used for renovations, acquisitions of additional properties, business working capital, or debt consolidation. The amount you can access depends on the property’s current appraised value, its income, and the lender’s maximum LTV ratio.

Commercial mortgage rates are not a single number. They are calculated as a base rate plus a lender spread. Fixed rates use the Government of Canada bond yield (or Canada Mortgage Bond yield) as the base, while variable rates are typically priced off Prime or CORRA. Your specific rate depends on the property type, loan-to-value ratio, debt service coverage, term length, and overall deal strength. For current base rates and a sense of typical lender spreads, visit our Rates page.

Ready to Compare Your Options?

Get clear, side-by-side financing options for your property. In a quick call, we’ll map the best path for rate, leverage, and timeline so you can decide what to do next. Speak with an experienced commercial mortgage broker with no pressure.

Schedule a Call