AC
AKALI CAPITAL
CONSTRUCTION & BRIDGE FINANCING
Multifamily residential building under construction with a tower crane, downtown Calgary skyline in the background at sunset
Calgary & Edmonton Multifamily Financing

Bridge the Timing Gap Before Your CMHC-Insured Takeout

Need to close on land or begin construction before your long-term financing is ready? Akali Capital arranges interim bridge financing for qualified multifamily projects with a clearly defined takeout strategy.

One conversation. No obligation. I'll tell you honestly whether a bridge fits your timeline.

Why This Keeps Happening

CMHC insures the deal on its own timeline — not yours.

Between underwriting, conditions, appraisals, and file volume, a CMHC-insured construction or takeout approval regularly runs longer than the purchase, construction start, or draw schedule allows for. That gap is where deals get lost — not because the project isn't fundable, but because the timing doesn't line up.

01

You're under contract or ready to build

Land is tied up, or the project is ready to break ground — but the closing date or construction schedule is fixed.

02

CMHC is still in process

The file is moving, but approval, final conditions, or funding hasn't landed yet — and won't in time.

03

A bridge closes the gap

Short-term financing gets you to closing or through construction, structured to be repaid when the CMHC takeout funds.

Built For This Exact Situation

Who this bridge is designed for

  • Builders and developers closing on multifamily land before CMHC insurance is finalized
  • Projects ready to start construction while the CMHC file is still in underwriting
  • Mid-project cost-to-complete or draw shortfalls while waiting on a CMHC-insured takeout
  • Deals where the purchase or build timeline is fixed and can't move to match CMHC's schedule

How It's Structured

Every file is different, and terms depend on the property, the borrower, and the lender — but the shape is generally the same:

  • Short-term financing secured against the project
  • Sized around the equity and the expected CMHC takeout
  • Structured to be repaid in full once CMHC funds
How This Has Played Out

A composite example

A developer in the Edmonton area had a multifamily site under contract with a hard closing date. The CMHC-insured construction takeout was progressing but wasn't going to be finalized in time to close. A short-term bridge loan, secured against the land and sized around the expected takeout, closed the purchase on schedule. The bridge was repaid in full once the CMHC financing funded.

Illustrative composite scenario for education purposes. Individual outcomes depend on the borrower, property, and lender; not a guarantee of approval, terms, or funding timeline.

Common Questions

Before you reach out

Do I need to have CMHC approval already in hand?

No. This is specifically for situations where the CMHC file is moving but hasn't funded yet. If it's already funded, you likely don't need a bridge.

What can a bridge loan be secured against?

Typically the land or project itself. The right structure depends on the property, the equity position, and where the CMHC file stands — that's part of the conversation.

How is the bridge repaid?

It's structured to be repaid in full once the CMHC-insured construction or takeout financing funds. Terms and repayment structure depend on the specific file.

Does this cost more than CMHC financing?

Short-term bridge financing generally carries a higher rate than CMHC-insured debt — that's the trade-off for speed and flexibility while CMHC is still in process. Whether it makes sense depends on what closing the gap is worth to your project.

Do you only work with builders in Calgary and Edmonton?

Those are the two markets this is focused on right now, but send the scenario regardless — if it's a fit, we'll talk about it.

Send The Scenario

Tell me where the project stands

A few details on the property and the CMHC timeline — I'll follow up personally with how I'd approach it.

Thanks — this has been sent through. I'll follow up personally to talk through timing and options.