100% Financing for Owner-Occupied Commercial Properties in Canada
Dec, 01 2025
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Are you a business owner tired of paying rent on your office, industrial, or medical space? Or a real estate investor who also runs a company and wants maximum leverage on your next commercial purchase? There’s a little-known 100% financing program available across Canada that can let you buy an owner-occupied commercial building with little or no down payment — even in today’s cautious lending environment.
In this episode of the Wisdom Lifestyle Money Show (transcribed and expanded for readers), host Scott Dillingham reveals exactly how this program works, who qualifies, and why most lenders and even large credit unions get the underwriting wrong.
What Is the 100% Owner-Occupied Commercial Financing Program?
This specialized commercial mortgage program is designed for business owners purchasing the building they will occupy (at least 51% owner-occupied). It’s not a residential mortgage and it’s not a typical investment-property loan. Instead, lenders look primarily at your business’s Net Operating Income (NOI) to determine how much you can borrow — sometimes up to 100% of the purchase price or appraised value.
The program has been available for years but is still underutilized, especially among real estate investors who also operate a business.
How Net Operating Income (NOI) Drives 100% Financing
The magic happens through NOI adjustments that most lenders miss.
Standard NOI vs. Adjusted NOI for Owner-Occupied Purchases
When you move from renting to owning, your current rent expense disappears. Experienced underwriters add back that rent (and sometimes depreciation, interest, or one-time expenses) to create a stronger income picture.
Example (simplified):
Current annual rent paid: $120,000
Business net income before add-backs: $180,000
Adjusted NOI after adding back rent: $300,000
That single adjustment can push your debt coverage ratio from “declined” to “fully funded.”
Scott shared a real deal where a major Canadian credit union initially rejected a strong file because the underwriter forgot to add back the rent expense. After pushing back with proper calculations, the deal was approved at 90-100% financing.
Debt Coverage Ratio: The Real Approval Trigger
Lenders use a reverse mortgage calculator approach:
Take your adjusted NOI
Divide by the annual mortgage payment
Result = Debt Coverage Ratio (DCR)
Most lenders on this program want a minimum 1.20 DCR (20% surplus income after debt service).
Practical example:
Adjusted NOI: $400,000/year
Required DCR: 1.20
Maximum annual debt service allowed: $400,000 ÷ 1.20 = $333,333
At current rates and 25-year amortization, that supports roughly $4–4.5 million in financing — even if traditional LTV guidelines cap office buildings at 65%.
If the calculated loan exceeds the property value, you can potentially get 100% financing. If it’s slightly short, 85–95% is still common — far better than standard commercial terms.
Why 100% Financing Matters More in Late 2025 and 2026
As of late 2025, many institutional lenders have tightened office and commercial guidelines:
Maximum 60–65% LTV on pure investment office
70–75% on multi-tenant retail or industrial
Stricter vacancy and lease-term requirements
The owner-occupied 100% program completely sidesteps those buckets because the lender is betting on your business cash flow, not just rental income from tenants.
Result? A dentist, doctor, manufacturer, or real estate investor who runs their own operating company can often borrow 20–35% more than under conventional commercial rules.
Rates, Terms, and Fees: What to Expect
Factor
Typical Range (Late 2025)
Interest Rate
Prime + 0.50% to Prime + 2.00% (varies by lender & credit)
Amortization
20–25 years (some lenders 15–20)
Term
3–10 years, fully open or closed options
Lender Fees
0.5–2% of loan amount (common in commercial)
Appraisal & Legal
$5,000–$15,000+ depending on property
Rates are competitive with standard commercial mortgages — usually only 0.50–2.00% higher than residential.
Who Qualifies (and Who Doesn’t)
Strong candidates:
Established businesses with 2–3 years of financials
Positive or improving profitability
Moving from leased premises to owned (biggest NOI boost)
Owner occupancy ≥51%
Good personal and business credit
Not suitable:
Startups or businesses with weak/negative cash flow
Pure investment properties (no owner occupancy)
Very remote locations (lender coverage limitations)
Why Working with Specialists Beats Going Direct to a Bank
Many large banks and credit unions have this program but their underwriters rarely maximize it. Scott’s team does in-house pre-underwriting to:
Identify every possible add-back
Shop multiple lenders with slight DCR variations
Push back when a lender misses adjustments
Package the file perfectly the first time
This often turns “no” into “yes” and 75% LTV into 90–100%.
The Liquidity Advantage for Business Owners & Investors
Getting 100% (or near-100%) financing means you keep cash in your business instead of tying it up in a down payment. That liquidity can fund:
Equipment purchases
Hiring
Marketing
Working capital
Additional investment properties
Many real estate investors use this program to buy their operating company’s building with almost no money down, then turn around and leverage their personal portfolio for pure investment deals.
Final Thoughts: Is This Program Right for You?
If you’re self-employed, pay rent on commercial space, and have solid business financials, the 100% owner-occupied commercial financing program could be the most powerful tool available in Canada right now.
Even 85–95% financing is life-changing compared to today’s 65% office or 75% industrial caps.
Reach out to a commercial mortgage team that specializes in these files (not just any bank or broker). One overlooked add-back can be the difference between approval and rejection.
Have you used this program or are you considering buying your own building? Drop a comment below and let us know!
This article is based on Episode 74 of the Wisdom Lifestyle Money Show with host Scott Dillingham. All examples are illustrative; actual approval depends on individual circumstances and lender criteria.
Frequently Asked Questions About 100% Financing For Buinesses
What Does 100% Financing Mean?
100% financing refers to a loan structure where the lender covers the full purchase price or appraised value of a property or asset, requiring no down payment from the borrower. In the context of commercial real estate or business loans, this is often achieved through programs that leverage your business’s net operating income (NOI) rather than traditional loan-to-value (LTV) ratios. It’s particularly useful for owner-occupied properties, allowing business owners to acquire buildings without tying up personal capital. However, it typically comes with stricter debt coverage requirements to ensure cash flow covers payments.
What Is a 100% Commercial Loan?
A 100% commercial loan is a financing option designed for business-related purchases, such as owner-occupied real estate, equipment, or vehicles, where the loan amount equals 100% of the cost. Unlike standard commercial mortgages limited to 65-75% LTV, these loans focus on your business’s adjusted NOI—including add-backs like eliminated rent expenses—to qualify for full funding. They’re ideal for established companies transitioning from leasing to owning, but approval hinges on strong financials and a debt coverage ratio (DCR) of at least 1.20.
Can You Get 100% Financing on Commercial Real Estate?
Yes, 100% financing is available for commercial real estate in Canada, especially for owner-occupied properties (at least 51% usage by your business). Programs from specialized lenders evaluate your business’s cash flow over property value, potentially covering the entire purchase. For example, adding back your current rent to NOI can boost borrowing power significantly. Rates are competitive (prime + 0.50-2.00%), with terms up to 25 years, but it’s not for pure investment properties—focus on office, industrial, or retail spaces you operate from.
How Does Commercial Financing Work?
Commercial financing involves lenders assessing your business’s ability to repay based on income, assets, and credit, rather than just personal finances. For 100% options, underwriters calculate an adjusted NOI by incorporating add-backs like rent or depreciation, then apply a DCR (e.g., 1.20 minimum) to determine loan size. The process includes appraisals, financial reviews, and lender shopping. In Canada, this can fund everything from property acquisitions to equipment, with flexible terms but higher scrutiny on profitability compared to residential loans.
What Are the Commercial Loan Rates in Canada?
Commercial loan rates in Canada typically range from prime + 0.50% to prime + 2.00% for strong borrowers, depending on the lender, property type, and risk. For 100% owner-occupied financing, expect rates around 6-8% as of late 2025, with amortizations of 20-25 years. Factors like business credit, NOI strength, and location influence the final rate—industrial or medical properties often qualify for the lower end. Always compare options through a broker to secure the best terms without upfront fees eating into your savings.
What Is the Minimum Down Payment for a Commercial Property in Canada?
The minimum down payment for commercial properties in Canada is usually 25-35% under standard guidelines, but 100% financing programs can reduce this to 0% for owner-occupied spaces. Qualification relies on your business’s adjusted NOI exceeding debt service by 20% (DCR 1.20). This is a game-changer for entrepreneurs, freeing up capital for operations. Note: Pure investment properties still require 25%+, and all deals need professional underwriting to maximize leverage.
Can You Get 100% Financing for Commercial Vehicles?
Absolutely, 100% financing for commercial vehicles is common in Canada through equipment leasing or term loans, covering trucks, machinery, or fleet additions. Lenders base approval on your business’s cash flow and the vehicle’s resale value, often with no down payment for established operators. Terms run 3-7 years at rates of 5-9%, and it’s flexible for owner-operators. This keeps working capital intact while scaling your operations—pair it with property financing for full business growth.
How to Get 100% Financing for Business Acquisition?
To secure 100% financing for a business acquisition, emphasize seller financing or SBA-style programs blended with commercial loans, focusing on the target’s NOI and your post-acquisition projections. In Canada, owner-occupied elements (e.g., included real estate) boost chances for full funding. Prepare 2-3 years of financials, highlight synergies, and work with a specialist broker to negotiate add-backs. While rarer than property deals, it’s achievable with strong DCR and can preserve liquidity for integration costs.
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