The Loan-to-Value (LTV) ratio is a critical financial term used by lenders to express the ratio of a loan to the value of an asset purchased. In real estate, it represents the relationship between the mortgage amount and the appraised value of the property. Lenders use this metric to assess lending risk before approving a mortgage.
Interest Rates: Lower LTV ratios (usually below 80%) typically qualify for lower interest rates because the lender faces less risk.
PMI Requirements: If your LTV is higher than 80%, most conventional lenders require Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI), which increases your monthly payment.
Loan Approval: Many loan programs have a maximum LTV limit. For example, some conventional loans cap LTV at 95% or 97%.
Refinancing: To refinance a mortgage, you usually need to meet specific LTV requirements to prove you have enough equity in the home.
Example Calculation
If you are buying a home appraised at $500,000 and you make a down payment of $100,000, your loan amount is $400,000.