Private Lending
Explore private lending in Canadian real estate, who offers it, when to use it, and how it compares to traditional bank financing.
May 22, 2025
What is Private Lending?
Private lending refers to borrowing money for real estate transactions from non-traditional lenders such as individuals, mortgage investment corporations (MICs), or private companies.
Why Private Lending Matters in Real Estate
In Canadian real estate, private lending offers flexible financing for borrowers who may not qualify with banks due to credit challenges, income verification issues, or unconventional properties.Private loans often feature:
- Shorter terms (6 months to 2 years)
- Higher interest rates
- Interest-only or balloon payment structures
- Fewer documentation requirements
Understanding private lending helps buyers and investors explore alternative funding when traditional routes are unavailable or impractical.
Example of Private Lending in Action
A borrower secures a 1-year, interest-only loan from a private lender to renovate a duplex before refinancing with a bank.
Key Takeaways
- Financing from non-bank sources.
- Offers faster approval and flexible terms.
- Higher cost and shorter duration.
- Often based on property equity.
- Useful for special or urgent situations.
Related Terms
- Bridge Financing
- Short-Term Financing
- Down Payment
- HELOC
- Alternative Financing


Canada residential unit sales by month, actual, 2019 and 2024-2026. Data through June 2026. Source:
Canada residential sales-to-new-listings ratio, actual, January 2025 to June 2026. Source:
Canada residential months of inventory, actual, January 2025 to June 2026. Source: Source:
Year-over-year change in residential average sale price for Canada, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta, January 2022 to June 2026. Average price is shown here as a regional mix measure, not a substitute for HPI or local comparable sales. Source:
Year-over-year change in residential unit sales for Canada, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta, January 2024 to June 2026. Source: 






15284-15296 Fleetwood Drive in Surrey. (Flat Architecture, 1098261 BC Ltd.)
Renderings of the tower proposed for 15284-15296 Fleetwood Drive in Surrey. (Flat Architecture, 1098261 BC Ltd.)

Goldberg Group 
10-storey apartment building currently occupying 525 Eglinton Avenue East/WND Associates
Rendering of 525 Eglinton Avenue East/Wallman Architects
The Mayfair West site and its surrounding context. (Grosvenor, Arcadis, Hariri Pontarini Architects)
Renderings of Mayfair West. (Grosvenor, Arcadis, Hariri Pontarini Architects)
