International Investor Program

Turn your equity into a 2.5× return in Canada's capital city

Ottawa's government-backed economy, chronic housing shortage, and Canada's CMHC financing program create a structural advantage for multifamily investors. We're the local builder-operator that makes it happen.

2.53×
Equity multiple
(optimally structured)
18%+
Cash-on-cash
at stabilization
90%
Of project cost
funded by CMHC
Quick Return Estimator
Your Equity Required
CMHC-Insured Debt
Cash-on-Cash Return
Estimated 5-Year Equity Multiple
Your Estimated 5-Year Profit
The Market

Why international capital is flowing to Ottawa

Canada's national capital offers a combination of economic stability, supply scarcity, and regulatory advantage that is difficult to replicate in any other North American market.

1.2%
Vacancy rate — among the tightest in Ontario, ensuring consistent occupancy across cycles
150K+
Federal government employees creating a recession-resistant rental demand floor
No
Rent control on new purpose-built rental — your rents move with the market, not a guideline
35%
Lower land costs vs. Toronto with comparable per-square-foot rental performance
Your Returns

How financing structure shapes your outcome

The same project delivers dramatically different returns depending on how it's financed. Canada's CMHC mortgage insurance unlocks institutional-grade rates and amortization that multiply your equity returns while reducing the capital you need to commit.

Financing Structure Your Equity
(% of project)
Mortgage
Rate
DSCR Cash-on-Cash
(Year 1)
5-Year Equity
Multiple
Est. 5-Year
Annualized Return
All Cash (no leverage) 90%N/AN/A6.1%1.34×~6%
50% LTV Conventional 45%5.25%1.52×4.1%1.49×~8%
65% LTV Conv. Max 31.5%5.50%1.14×2.1%1.59×~10%
70% LTV CMHC 27%4.00%1.55×7.2%1.67×~11%
75% LTV CMHC 22.5%3.75%1.51×8.1%1.76×~12%
80% LTV CMHC 18%3.50%1.47×9.6%1.91×~14%
85% LTV CMHC+ 13.5%3.50%1.51×13.7%2.10×~16%
90% LTV Optimal 9%3.50%1.43×18.2%2.53×~20%

Returns modelled on a prototypical 80-unit Ottawa multifamily development: studio/1-bed/2-bed/3-bed mix averaging $2,038/mo, 5.45% NOI yield on cost, 4.75% exit cap, 3% annual rent growth, 5-year hold. Equity shown as percentage of project cost (includes 10% GP co-investment). CMHC scenarios assume MLI Select insured rates with 40–50 year amortization. Returns shown before GP promote; actual LP distributions reflect a 50/50 LP/GP split on profits above the preferred return, subject to partnership terms.

The Edge

Why this structure works for international investors

Canada's CMHC program is a sovereign-backed financing mechanism that most international investors have never encountered. Combined with Ottawa's fundamentals, it creates a compelling structural advantage.

01
Equity efficiency — commit less, earn more
At optimal leverage, you need just 9% of the project cost as equity. A $20M project requires roughly $1.8M from you — and that $1.8M is projected to return over $4.5M in five years. An all-cash investor would need $18M for the same asset with a fraction of the return on equity.
02
Sovereign-backed rates unavailable elsewhere
CMHC-insured mortgages price at 3.50–4.00% with up to 50-year amortization — rates that conventional borrowers simply cannot access. This government-backed program is unique to Canadian purpose-built rental and fundamentally changes the return profile of every project.
03
Recession-resistant demand floor
Ottawa's federal government employs 150,000+ workers who need housing regardless of economic cycles. Add three major universities and aggressive immigration targets, and you get structural demand that private-sector cities cannot match.
04
No rent control on new construction
Ontario exempts all units first occupied after November 2018 from annual rent increase guidelines. Your rents move with the market on turnover — a significant advantage over older stock and provinces like BC where controls apply universally.
05
Foreign buyer ban does not apply
Canada's foreign buyer prohibition does not apply to purpose-built rental development. Your investment is structured through a Canadian LP with full regulatory compliance from day one.
06
Full-stack local builder-operator
Karnak is not a broker — we're a vertically integrated developer. We acquire land, navigate zoning, build the structure, lease units, and manage the asset. One accountable partner across the full lifecycle.
The Process

From first conversation to performing asset

Our engagement is structured so you receive expert guidance at every stage — and only commit capital when you're fully informed and confident.

Market Entry Consultation

A structured 90-minute session covering Ottawa fundamentals, regulatory and tax considerations for your jurisdiction, financing options, and a preliminary investment thesis matched to your goals.

$1,000 USD

Custom Investment Strategy & Site Selection

A bespoke report with project-specific pro forma modelling, CMHC vs. conventional scenarios tailored to your capital, tax structuring recommendations, and a shortlist of live opportunities from our pipeline.

$10,000 USD

Due Diligence & Transaction Advisory

Full-scope due diligence — building condition assessment, environmental, lease audit, zoning, and CMHC pre-qualification — leveraging our construction expertise to identify risks others miss.

2% of project value

Development Execution

Capital deployment through a Karnak-led limited partnership. We manage entitlement, permitting, construction, lease-up, and stabilization — with aligned incentives through our co-investment and promote structure.

LP/GP partnership terms

Ongoing Asset & Property Management

Long-term stewardship including quarterly reporting, capital planning, refinancing strategy, and disposition advisory. Every investor becomes a long-term partner in our portfolio.

Ongoing management fees
Your Next Step

Ready to see what your equity can achieve in Ottawa?

Schedule a consultation and we'll model the scenarios using your specific project size, capital, and objectives. No commitment — just clarity.

Schedule Your Consultation
Get Started

Begin your Ottawa investment journey

Complete the inquiry form and a member of our investor relations team will reach out within 48 hours to schedule your initial consultation.

invest@karnakdevelopments.com
+1 (613) 458-2222
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Thank you for your inquiry. A member of our investor relations team will contact you within 48 hours.