What If You Could Cut Your Mortgage Payments by 25%?
It sounds like clickbait, but this is real.
With Canada’s CMHC MLI Select, multi-family investors in Alberta can now access amortization periods of up to 50 years, especially when buying energy-efficient or affordable housing units.
This isn’t just about extending a loan; it’s about buying time to let your investment breathe, grow, and fund your next deal.
Let’s take a look at how it works.
Scenario: A 10-Plex in Calgary
You find a 10-unit property in Calgary listed at $1.9M. You plan to finance 85% of it, roughly $1.615M, at 4.5% interest.
Here’s what the numbers look like:
| Amortization | Monthly Mortgage Payment |
| 25 years | $9,006 |
| 40 years | $7,219 |
| 50 years | $6,622 |
That’s $2,384/month less by choosing the 50-year option. That means better cash-on-cash returns, lower debt stress, and more room for maintenance, vacancy, or savings.
Why It Matters in Alberta
Alberta’s rental market, especially in Calgary and Edmonton, is landlord-friendly, cash-flow positive, and growing.
But with rising interest rates and tighter margins, the ability to lower your debt service becomes a make-or-break factor when buying mid-sized apartments.
And that’s where 50-year amortization is your secret weapon.
The Strategy Behind the Strategy
You don’t just use ultra-long amortization to survive; you use it to scale.
- Want to qualify for a larger building?
- Trying to meet CMHC’s DCR minimums?
- Want to keep reserves for renos or future down payments?
Stretching your mortgage timeline gives you financial breathing room without compromising on quality or location.
Yes, it’s more interesting. But That’s OK.
Remember: interest is the cost of control.
If you can use that control to increase rents, reinvest, or expand your portfolio, then the trade-off becomes worth it.
As long as you run your numbers right (and don’t overleverage), a 50-year mortgage isn’t a debt trap; it’s a growth tool.
Closing: Don’t Fear the 50
In Alberta’s multi-family market, success doesn’t always come from big leaps. Sometimes, it comes from strategic stretches of your time horizon, your cash flow, and your thinking.
So don’t fear the 50.
Because the investors who win in the long run are the ones who plan for the long run.
