October 2025 Commercial Mortgage Insights

Welcome to your monthly pulse on Canadian commercial real estate (CRE) financing

Brought to you by Lesolace Corporation

Dear Valued Clients and Partners

 As we hit mid-October 2025, the national CRE landscape shows cautious optimism amid stabilizing rates and rebounding investment volumes. With Bank of Canada holding steady at 4.25% and inflation cooling to 2.1%, commercial mortgage rates hover at 5.5-6.5% for prime deals—creating windows for savvy investors in multifamily, industrial, and retail sectors. This edition dives into key updates for Calgary’s cooling multifamily scene, Winnipeg’s growth-fueled momentum, and Ontario’s transitional volatility. Whether you’re eyeing Calgary commercial real estate investment opportunities or Ontario commercial property financing trends, we’ve got actionable takeaways.

Calgary: Multifamily Slowdown Signals Value Plays

Calgary’s CRE market is adjusting to a post-boom reality, with multifamily developers pivoting amid rising vacancies (now at 4.5%) and softening rents. According to RENX, developers are delaying projects and focusing on value-add acquisitions to counter the slowdown—ideal for commercial mortgage borrowers seeking lower entry points.

  • Key Stat: Housing starts hit a record 18,632 in the first eight months of 2025 (up 21% YoY), per Calgary Herald, boosting supply but pressuring short-term NOI.
  • Mortgage Angle: Expect DSCR thresholds to ease to 1.20x for stabilized assets; Boardwalk REIT’s recent operational update highlights capital allocation toward Alberta multifamily, signaling lender confidence.
  • Outlook: Recovery momentum builds per CBRE’s 2025 Canada Outlook, with investment sales up 15% QoQ—prime time for bridge financing in retail/office hybrids.

For Calgary commercial mortgage rates 2025, lock in now before Q4 inventory surges further.

Winnipeg: Steady Gains Amid Population Boom

Winnipeg’s CRE sector is firing on all cylinders, driven by 2.5% population growth and renewed energy in industrial/retail. REMAX’s 2025 report notes sustained traction, with average sales prices projected to rise 3-5% through year-end—making it a hotspot for low-volume commercial mortgage deals.

  • Highlight: CBRE’s latest Winnipeg market reports show office vacancies dipping to 8.2% and industrial absorption at 1.2M sq ft in Q3, fueled by logistics demand.
  • Financing Tip: Commercial mortgage lenders are favoring 70-75% LTV on multifamily, with rates dipping to 5.25% for strong-credit borrowers amid Altus Group’s Q2 CRE trends showing $11.7B national volume.
  • Watch: Fall 2025 housing updates from CMHC predict modest ground-oriented starts, spilling positivity into mixed-use CRE.

Winnipeg CRE investment opportunities shine for diversified portfolios—pair with green retrofits for better terms.

Ontario: Transitional Tides with Industrial Strength

Ontario’s CRE remains volatile but transitional, with prices down 5-7% from 2024 peaks yet optimistic on policy shifts. Realty Times flags 2025 as a pivot year, where industrial outperforms (availability at 3.1% per Altus Q3 update) amid e-commerce surges, while office lags at 12% vacancy.

  • Trend: JPMorgan’s 2025 outlook praises robust industrial growth and steady retail, with national sales rebounding 20-25% per RENX—Ontario leading in GTA multifamily conversions.
  • Mortgage Insights: Expect debt yields at 10-12% for riskier assets; CBRE forecasts stronger financing as capital sidelined hits $50B market-wide.
  • Opportunity: Policy tweaks (e.g., streamlined zoning) open doors for commercial property investment trends in Toronto and Ottawa—target 65% LTV for quick closes.

Ontario real estate financing trends favor adaptive reuse projects; consult for stress-tested appraisals.

Final Thoughts: Seize the Rebound. Across these markets, 2025’s CRE recovery hinges on selective financing—prioritize NOI stability and ESG factors for competitive commercial mortgage terms. Stay ahead: Connect with us for personalized rate quotes. Until next month, invest wisely.

Sources: CBRE, REMAX, Altus Group, RENX (October 2025 data). Not financial advice.

#CommercialMortgage #CalgaryCRE #WinnipegRealEstate #OntarioCommercialProperty #CRENews2025 #MortgageRates2025 #MultifamilyInvestment #IndustrialRealEstate

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