Ditech : Mortgage Refinancing: Loan-to-Value Ratio Basics

If you are in the process of refinancing your mortgage it is important to understand how loan-to-value affects your mortgage application. Here is what you need to know about your loan-to-value ratio.

The value of your home is an important aspect of your mortgage application. The loan-to-value ratio lenders use is based on the appraised value of your home and the amount you are requesting to borrow. To determine your loan-to-value ratio, divide the total amount of your loan by the value of your home from a recent appraisal.

For example, if your home is worth $150,000 and you are asking for $120,000 from your new mortgage lender, your loan-to-value ratio is .80 or 80%. Mortgage lenders have guidelines for approving mortgage loans and traditional lenders typically do not approve mortgage applications with loan-to-value ratios greater than 80 percent; if the lender is willing to approve a mortgage above 80% loan-to-value, that lender may require Private Mortgage Insurance in order to qualify.

Mortgage lenders consider homeowners with high loan-to-value ratios to be more of a risk for lending. Homeowners that own more equity in their homes are less likely to default on their mortgages than those that have little or no equity. In addition to requiring borrowers with high loan-to-value ratios to take out Private Mortgage Insurance, mortgage lenders charge these borrowers higher interest rates because of this increased risk. If you are a homeowner with a high loan-to-value ratio the lender may require you to pay for a new appraisal before approving your mortgage.