Canada's rental market offers real opportunity — if you know the numbers. Use our investor tools, understand how lenders qualify you, and connect with a Frank broker who knows investment financing.
Why Frank for Investors
Investment mortgages are structured differently from owner-occupied ones. Our brokers know the lenders who offer add-back vs. offset underwriting, portfolio products, and flexible rental income treatment.
We know which lenders use offset methods that maximize your qualifying power — not all lenders treat rental income the same way.
Run your ROI and qualifier scenarios in seconds using our tools below, then let a broker confirm what's achievable with real lender guidelines.
Already own a home? We help you structure a refinance to access equity for your next property without disrupting your existing plan.
No branch visits. No paperwork piles. Get pre-approved for your investment mortgage online, on your schedule.
Investor Tools
Three calculators designed for Canadian investors. All estimates — your Frank broker can validate with real lender data.
Is this property worth buying? Enter your purchase details and expected rent to see monthly cash flow, cash-on-cash return, and cap rate.
Estimate monthly cash flow, cash-on-cash return, and cap rate for a rental property.
Will you qualify? Compare how major banks vs. alternative lenders treat your rental income — the difference can be tens of thousands in qualifying power.
Compare how banks vs. alternative lenders count rental income when qualifying your mortgage.
No big savings pile? See how much equity you can pull from your existing home to use as a down payment on a rental property.
Find out how much equity you can access through a refinance or switch.
Strategies
There's no single way to invest in real estate. Here are the most common approaches our clients use — each with different financing requirements.
Buy a duplex or triplex, live in one unit, and rent the others. You can put as little as 5% down as an owner-occupant, and rental income helps carry the mortgage.
Read the guide →Buy a separate investment property you won't live in. Requires 20% minimum down, but you keep your primary residence untouched and build a separate portfolio.
Down payment rules →Refinance your existing home to pull out equity (up to 80% LTV) and use that cash as the down payment on a rental property. One of the most widely used investor strategies.
Access your equity →When banks say no — or offer less than you need — alternative lenders and private mortgages fill the gap. Higher rates, but more flexibility on income and property type.
Explore alternatives →FAQ
Investment properties (non-owner-occupied) require a minimum of 20% down. Mortgage default insurance is not available for investment properties — you must hit that 20% threshold. The 20% must come from your own resources; gifted or borrowed funds are not permitted for rental property down payments.
It depends on the lender. Major banks typically use an add-back method — adding roughly 50% of gross rent to your qualifying income. Alternative lenders often use an offset method — applying up to 80% of rent directly against the rental property's carrying costs. The offset method often allows significantly higher mortgage approvals. Use our Rental Qualifier tool above to compare both.
Yes — this is one of the most common investor strategies. You can refinance your primary home up to 80% of its appraised value and use the resulting equity as a down payment on a rental. You'll carry two mortgages at that point, so lenders will assess both when qualifying you. Use the Equity Unlock Calculator above to estimate how much you could access.
In major markets like Toronto and Vancouver, cap rates typically range from 3–5%. Secondary markets and smaller cities often offer 5–8%+. Cap rate reflects return on the property ignoring financing. If your cap rate exceeds your mortgage rate, you have positive leverage. If it doesn't, you're relying on appreciation — which is a valid strategy in growth markets but carries risk.
It can. When you renew or need to refinance your primary residence, lenders will include rental property debts in your TDS ratios. If you've structured your rental well and it generates positive cash flow, this is manageable. A Frank broker can help you plan for renewal timing and lender strategy across your portfolio.
Investor Guides
Deep-dives on the topics that matter most to Canadian real estate investors.
Investor Guide
Purchasing an owner-occupied rental property in Canada can be a strategic way to build wealth while securing a home for yourself. But if you’re planning to put down less than 20% of the property’s purchase price, you’ll likely need mortgage default insurance. Here’s what you need to know about how mortgage default insurance works for owner-occupied rental properties.
Read guide →Investor Guide
For Canadian homeowners, the equity built up in their homes is often one of their most valuable financial assets. Whether it’s to fund renovations, consolidate debt, make new investments, or even enjoy a dream vacation, accessing this equity can open doors to new opportunities. With housing markets evolving and interest rates fluctuating, understanding your options for tapping into home equity is more important than ever. Let’s explore the main ways Canadian mortgage borrowers can access their home equity, breaking down each option with its benefits and considerations.
Read guide →Investor Guide
Struggling to qualify for a traditional mortgage? Learn about private mortgages, rent-to-own, shared equity, co-ownership, and other alternative home financing options in Canada.
Read guide →Investor Guide
When it comes to obtaining a mortgage in Canada, understanding the down payment requirements is essential. Your down payment plays a crucial role in determining the type of mortgage you can secure, and the interest rates you may qualify for.
Read guide →Ready to invest?
Our brokers understand rental income underwriting, equity refinances, and portfolio lending. Get expert advice — free.
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