Commercial Real Estate Financing in Alberta & BC
Legacy Mortgage Group provides comprehensive commercial real estate financing across Alberta and British Columbia for investors, developers, and business owners. We understand that commercial property acquisitions and development projects can be complex, and we are here to simplify the process.
Our team of local experts offers a wide scope of financing options, from conventional loans to high-leverage solutions with up to 100% financing available. We’re your trusted partner in commercial real estate financing, helping you secure flexible commercial property loans with competitive rates and fast approvals.
Commercial Real Estate Financing Options in Western Canada
Legacy Mortgage Group provides a diverse range of commercial financing solutions, including commercial property loans, to meet the varied needs of investors and developers across Alberta and British Columbia. We understand that finding the right financing is crucial for your investment strategy, and we provide a full scope of real estate investment financing, from conventional and high-leverage options to specialized private funding solutions.
Conventional vs High Leverage Financing Solutions
When it comes to commercial real estate financing, choosing the right loan structure can be the key to getting the most out of your commercial project. We offer a clear choice between conventional commercial mortgages and high-leverage financing solutions.
Conventional commercial mortgages typically require a 25-35% down payment, offering competitive rates and terms for strong, stable investments.
For investors and developers who require a smaller initial investment, we offer specialized high leverage commercial loans and 100% financing commercial real estate solutions. While these options may have different qualification requirements and interest rate variations, our team can help you find the best fit for your project and financial profile.
We are here to help you get approved so you can focus on growing your business
Property Types Eligible for Commercial Financing
Our local expertise means that we can help you finance a wide range of properties across cities we serve. We’ll help you secure the perfect type of property for your needs!
Office Buildings
High-rise offices in city centers as well as suburban executive suites.
Industrial & Warehouses
Manufacturing facilities, distribution centers, logistics properties, and industrial parks.
Retail Spaces
Standalone storefronts, shopping mall units, and strip malls.
Multi-residential Properties
We specialize in financing for properties with five or more units, such as apartment buildings and condominiums.
Special-Use Properties
Unique properties such as hotels, gas stations, marinas, self-storage facilities, and golf courses.
Vacant Land
Financing is also available for land development projects.
What Makes Your Property Eligible for Financing?
If you have your eye on a specific property, but aren’t sure if it qualifies for financing, we’ve got you covered! Our commercial mortgage experts can help you determine what makes a property eligible for financing. Lenders will evaluate several factors, including:
Location
The property’s location and its proximity to amenities, traffic flow, and other key business districts are a top priority.
Condition
We will help you assess the condition of the property to make sure it is up to par with lenders’ expectations.
Income Potential
Lenders will evaluate the income potential of the property, such as rent rolls, to determine its ability to service the debt.
Zoning Compliance
We help you understand the local zoning bylaws and permitted uses to ensure the property is compliant with all regulations.
Our team helps clients understand these eligibility criteria and improve their chances of getting approved.
Commercial Real Estate Financing Process and Timeline
At Legacy Mortgage Group, we’ve broken down the commercial mortgage application process into four simple and transparent steps to get you from consultation to funding as efficiently as possible. Our streamlined approach is designed to save you time and alleviate the stress of complex paperwork, allowing you to focus on your business.
Understanding your needs
We’ll begin by getting to know you and your business needs, goals, and growth objectives.
Financial review
Once we know more about you, we’ll work with your accountant to assess your financial position and come up with a comprehensive financing strategy.
Negotiating with lenders
Leave the hard part to us. With experience, professionalism, and expert knowledge, we leverage our network of over 50 lenders to get you the best rate and term for your budget and needs.
Closing support
Our team provides full assistance through legal documentation to ensure a seamless closing.
Depending on complexity, the timeline can range drastically, typically falling between 2 months – 1 year. Regardless of the duration, you can be assured that we’ll keep you updated along the way.
How Long Does Commercial Financing Take?
The commercial loan timeline can vary drastically depending on the type of financing and the complexity of the deal.
Quick Commercial Financing
For straightforward deals or bridge loans, funding can happen in as little as 30-45 days, though some can close even faster.
Traditional Mortgages
For traditional bank mortgages or more complex deals, you should typically expect a timeline of 2 to 4 months, but some can take up to a year.
However, there are some things you can do to expedite this process, and we’ll help you with it! Submitting a complete application package, presenting a strong financial profile, and providing a clear project plan can all mean quicker responses from the lender.
We have relationships with our network of lenders to try to expedite your application if needed. Starting the application process early gives you the breathing room to handle any unexpected delays or requests for additional information, ensuring you don’t miss out on a valuable opportunity.
Past Client Success Stories
Funding an Industrial Investment Property
Calgary (outside city limits)
Summary
Property was outside Calgary city limits and struggled to gain lender traction. Thanks to Legacy’s strong relationship with BMO, they secured standard financing terms — treating it like any in-city deal.
$1,575,000
Loan Size
6-bay industrial space (investment property)
Deal Type
75% over 25-year amortization
LTV
Qualification Requirements for Commercial Real Estate Loans
Getting a commercial mortgage in Alberta or B.C. shouldn’t feel daunting. As your dedicated partner, we simplify the process by clearly outlining the specific commercial loan requirements and helping you strengthen your application. We assess both you and your business’s financial health to ensure you’re in the best position for approval.
While every application is unique, lenders primarily focus on three key factors:
While every application is unique, lenders primarily focus on three key factors:
Creditworthiness
Lenders will review your personal and business credit scores to assess your financial responsibility. A strong credit history not only improves your chances of approval but can also lead to better loan terms.
Business Stability
Lenders want to see a history of strong cash flow and profitability. They will review your business’s financial statements, tax returns, and even your business plan to ensure your enterprise can comfortably cover its debt payments.
The Property
The commercial property’s value and income potential are crucial. Lenders use metrics like the Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) to determine if the property’s income is enough to service the debt.
By partnering with our team, you'll gain a trusted advisor who helps you prepare a strong application to improve your chances of approval.
What Documents Do You Need?
We make the document collection process easy for our commercial clients. Our team simplifies the process by collecting and reviewing all the essential paperwork for you.
Here are some examples of the key documents required for your commercial mortgage application, depending on the type of application:
- Financial statements (personal and business)
- Business plan
- Detailed project plan
- Cash flow projections
- Property appraisal and environmental reports
- Leases and tenancy information
We’ll let you know exactly what’s needed for your application!
Private Commercial Real Estate Financing Solutions
If your commercial real estate project doesn’t meet lender criteria, or is too complex for traditional applications, don’t worry! Our commercial mortgage experts will work with specialized private commercial lenders as a flexible solution.
We can help you secure private funding options like bridge loans and other non-bank commercial loans. This provides a valuable alternative for business owners and investors who are dealing with complex financing challenges, ensuring they have access to the capital they need to succeed in their commercial real estate ventures.
When Should You Consider Private Funding?
Private funding offers significant advantages for certain scenarios where time and flexibility are crucial. You should consider private financing for quick close commercial financing needs, such as a time-sensitive opportunity or an auction purchase.
Private lenders are also a good option for unique property types or if you are facing credit challenges that may be a barrier at a traditional bank. Private lenders often evaluate deals based on the property’s value and income potential, making them a strategic tool for time-sensitive commercial deals.
Commercial Real Estate Investment Strategies and Financing
Smart financing isn’t just about getting a loan. It’s about making sure your money works for your real estate goals. We team up with you to match your financing to your investment plans and comfort with risk.
Investment Strategy
What it is
How Financing Supports It
Buy-and-Hold
A long-term approach focused on generating consistent passive income.
Our team helps you secure stable, fixed-rate financing that provides predictable cash flow from day one, allowing you to grow your portfolio confidently.
Value-Add
Acquiring an underperforming property to increase its value.
Our value-add property financing funds strategic renovations and improvements. This allows you to secure the property, make key upgrades, and then refinance to pull out your initial capital and reinvest.
Development
Building from the ground up on vacant land.
We specialize in development project loans and help you navigate the complex world of construction draws, ensuring you have the capital you need at every stage.
Portfolio Expansion
Acquiring multiple properties to build a diversified portfolio.
We provide strategic commercial portfolio financing that simplifies the acquisition process, streamlines funding, and accelerates your path to a profitable, diversified portfolio.
How Does Financing Support Your Investment Goals?
As an investor, you know that the financing option you choose is a powerful tool that can directly impact your investment’s success. We help you structure loans to support common investment objectives such as:
Cash Flow Optimization
Our financing options can be structured to help you achieve positive cash flow in Alberta or BC, ensuring your investment is profitable from day one.
Capital Appreciation
We help you find value-add property financing that allows you to make strategic improvements and renovations, increasing the property’s value and enhancing your investment returns.
Portfolio Diversification
For investors looking to expand, we provide commercial real estate portfolio building solutions that enable you to acquire multiple properties with a clear, long-term financing strategy.
Tax Benefits
We’ll work with you and your accountant to ensure your financing structure is optimized for potential tax benefits, which can enhance your overall ROI.
Our team is here to help you get a clear understanding of how the right financing structure can significantly enhance your return on investment.
Ready to Get Started?
Navigating the commercial real estate market in Alberta and British Columbia requires a partner you can trust. When you choose to work with Legacy Mortgage Group, we provide comprehensive commercial real estate financing solutions tailored to your unique needs.
From construction financing and refinancing to specialized private funding options, our experienced team is here to help. We have a proven track record of successful transactions and access to over 50 lenders, including options for high-leverage financing up to 100%.
Ready to secure your next investment? Fill out the Contact form for a confidential, no-obligation consultation.
