First National Financial LP®
other-properties

Self-storage

Smart-risk lending solutions for self-storage property owners and developers

Self-storage is a vibrant industry and First National is proud to finance the properties in which Canadians house their valuables.

We work with developers and asset managers across the country to achieve their goals through empowering advice and committed capital.

Throughout our history, we have amassed significant experience in lending and providing various forms of financing to self-storage operators who serve the needs of individuals and business clients. 

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. 

Learn More: Standard financing

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 or a change in ownership structure or to buy time to complete an operational improvement. 

Learn More: Bridge financing

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.

Learn More: Asset repositioning

Secondary financing

A First National second mortgage allows borrowers to access the equity in a property and use it to purchase another asset or renovate/repair an existing asset. 

Learn More: Secondary financing

Development / Construction

A First National construction loan provides funds to cover the cost of building or rehabilitating a property with terms typically of three years or less.

Learn More: Development / Construction

Smart risk solutions in action for storage

See how we’ve applied our financing products innovatively to help storage 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%

Conventional bridge loan to finance the construction of a student residence

  • $41 million
  • 107 units
  • Waterloo, Ontario
  • Conventional construction financing
  • 6 months term, interest only
  • LTV: 72%
 

Provide financing to convert an existing industrial property

  • 15.7 Million
  • 46,793 sq. ft.
  • Toronto, Ontario

80% of cost conventional construction financing

  • $3.36 million
  • 4,040 sq.ft.
  • Antigonish, NS

Latest resources and insights

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

Growth, Value and Risk

The Bank of Canada tied a bow on 2024 by cutting its policy interest rate once again today to 3.25%. This latest 50 basis point drop – coming on the heels of reductions in June, July, September and October – is welcome news.

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Expert insights

Activity in 2024 was bifurcated. In the first half of the year, overall real estate investment activity was relatively muted as interest rates remained in restrictive territory.

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Borrower perspectives

Founded in 1992 in Leamington, Ontario, Piroli Group started in general contracting (under the name of Piroli Construction) but has evolved into a multi-faceted development group.

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Capital Markets update

Article
First National’s, Jason Ellis, provides an overview as well as an update of the markets including rates, Government announcements and changes to the Commercial mortgages. Read an overview here.

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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.