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Commercial DSCR

Commercial DSCR + cap-rate calculator.

Commercial lenders qualify primarily on Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR). Most want ≥ 1.20-1.30. Below 1.10 = decline; above 1.40 = best pricing.

Updates as you type| Built on Canadian mortgage rules| Ontario & Canada-wide| Built by FSRA-licensed brokers
Calculator reviewed by the Principal Broker, Mortgage Squad Advisors · FSRA #13737| Updated June 2026
The short answer

Commercial lenders qualify on the property's numbers, not just yours — chiefly the Debt Service Coverage Ratio (net operating income ÷ annual mortgage payments). Most want a DSCR of 1.20–1.30+; below ~1.10 is usually a decline, above 1.40 earns the best pricing. Enter the income, price, and loan terms to see your DSCR, cap rate, and payment.

Your inputs

DSCR
1.31
Strong — best pricing territory
Loan amount$1,680,000
Loan-to-value (LTV)70.0%
Monthly debt service$10,699
Annual debt service$128,386
Annual cashflow$39,614
Cap rate7.00%

Where your DSCR lands

At 1.31, this deal is strong — best pricing territory. Lenders read DSCR as a cushion: every $1.00 of mortgage payment is covered by $1 of NOI.

1.00 decline1.20 min1.40 best1.60+

Where your money goes

Total interest vs. principal over the full 25-year amortization at 5.95%

Total cost
$3,209,661
Principal$1,680,000 (52%)
Interest$1,529,661 (48%)
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Deeper analysis

How commercial mortgages are underwritten

Commercial lending flips the residential logic on its head: the property qualifies, not you. The gate is Debt Service Coverage Ratio — net operating income divided by the annual mortgage payment. Most lenders want DSCR ≥ 1.20-1.25 on stabilized income property; below 1.10 is usually a decline, and above 1.40 earns the sharpest pricing. Your personal income and net worth still matter as a backstop (the "sponsor strength"), but the cashflow drives the deal.

Leverage and amortization

Conventional commercial tops out at 65-75% loan-to-value — so budget for 25-35% down — over a 20-25 year amortization. Asset class sets the band: well-tenanted multifamily and owner-occupied get the higher leverage and longer amortization; single-tenant, specialty, and hospitality assets get less and price wider. The principal-vs-interest donut above shows how front-loaded the interest is over a 25-year term.

The big exception is CMHC MLI Select for 5+ unit residential: stacking energy, affordability, and accessibility points can unlock far higher leverage, up to 50-year amortization, and rates 100-150 bps below uninsured commercial — which also lifts DSCR by shrinking the payment. Running a multifamily file? Compare it against our rental cashflow calculator to see the NOI build-up.

Amortization schedule

How your balance falls — and how the interest/principal split shifts — over 25 years.

$1,680,000$1,260,000$840,000$420,000$0Now5y10y15y20y25y
YearPrincipal paidInterest paidBalance
1$30,455$97,931$1,649,545
2$32,294$96,092$1,617,251
3$34,244$94,142$1,583,006
4$36,312$92,074$1,546,694
5$38,505$89,882$1,508,189
6$40,830$87,556$1,467,359
7$43,296$85,091$1,424,063
8$45,910$82,476$1,378,153
9$48,682$79,704$1,329,471
10$51,622$76,765$1,277,849
How this is calculated
Lender appetites vary by asset class. CMHC MLI Select multi-family can offer higher leverage with affordability/energy/accessibility concessions. Sponsor strength can offset DSCR weakness on owner-occupied files.
Mortgage glossary— terms that matter for this calculator
Common questions

Frequently asked

Don’t see yours? Ask Maya for a quick, accurate answer.

What is DSCR and how is it calculated?
Debt Service Coverage Ratio = Net Operating Income ÷ Annual Mortgage Payment. NOI = gross rent − operating expenses (excluding the mortgage). DSCR of 1.25 means the property generates 25% more cashflow than the mortgage payment. Most commercial lenders want minimum 1.20-1.25.
What DSCR do I need to get approved?
The common floor is 1.20-1.25 for stabilized income property. At 1.10-1.20 you're marginal and the deal leans on sponsor strength, liquidity, and the asset class. Above 1.40 you're into best-pricing territory. CMHC MLI Select multifamily can clear at a lower coverage because the insurance de-risks the lender.
What's a good cap rate for Canadian commercial property?
Depends on asset class + market. Multifamily (5+ unit) in GTA: 4.5-5.5%. Retail strip: 5.5-7%. Industrial: 5-6.5%. Hospitality: 7-10% but higher risk. Higher cap rate = more cashflow per dollar invested but typically signals more risk.
How is commercial different from residential lending?
Commercial qualifies on the property's cashflow (DSCR), not your personal income. Typical max LTV: 65-75% (vs 80% residential). Amortization: 20-25 years standard, or up to 50 years on CMHC MLI Select multifamily. Rates: 4.50-7.00% depending on asset class and LTV.
How much down payment does a commercial mortgage need?
Plan for 25-35% down — conventional commercial caps at 65-75% LTV depending on asset class, tenancy, and location. Owner-occupied and well-tenanted multifamily get the higher leverage; specialty and single-tenant assets get less. CMHC MLI Select multifamily can stretch leverage well past conventional limits.
What is CMHC MLI Select?
CMHC's multifamily insurance product for 5+ unit residential. Stack energy + affordability + accessibility points to unlock up to 95% LTV + 50-year amortization. Rates 100-150 bps below uninsured commercial. Game-changer for serious multifamily investors. See CMHC multiplex.
Do commercial mortgages have prepayment penalties?
Yes — typically larger and stricter than residential. Most commercial mortgages have full-term lock with significant penalties for breakage. Open commercial mortgages exist but at materially higher rates. Plan the term carefully — commercial isn't where you want to break early.
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