What Is Loan To Value Ratio – Ltv Explained For Homebuyers And Investors

Key Takeaways:
 

• LTV shows how much loan the bank gives and how much you must pay. If LTV is high, the bank gives more money, but you must pay more interest later.
   
• RBI has set limits for LTV based on loan amount. You can get up to 90% loan for small amounts, but only 75% for big loans above ₹75 lakh.
   
• LTV affects your EMI and loan approval. A lower LTV means you pay less interest and get faster approval.
   
• Investors use LTV to increase profits with less money. A higher LTV means less money upfront, but the risk is also higher.
   
• Banks see LTV to check how risky the loan is. Staying within the limit helps you get better offers from the bank.

BONUS: THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT PUBLIC SECTOR BANKS FOLLOW THE 75% LTV LIMIT BY INCLUDING BOTH INTEREST AND PRINCIPAL IN GOLD LOANS, BUT SOME SMALL BANKS AND NON-BANKING LENDERS WERE PUSHING THE LTV UP TO 88%.

Loan to Value Ratio (LTV) tells how much loan you take compared to the value of a property. Banks and buyers use it to check risk before giving or taking a loan.

Now, let’s see a real example to understand it better. Ramesh wanted to buy a flat in Pune worth ₹50 lakh. He had ₹10 lakh saved and needed the rest from a bank. The loan amount he needed was ₹40 lakh.

The LTV was:

LTV = (Loan Amount ÷ Property Value) × 100
= (₹40 lakh ÷ ₹50 lakh) × 100 = 80%

Since most banks allow up to 80% for this range, Ramesh got his loan approved. If his savings were less, say ₹5 lakh, the LTV would be 90%, and the bank might reject or charge more interest.

In this blog, you will learn the meaning of LTV, how to calculate it, why it matters, its impact on buyers and investors, RBI rules, and answers to common questions.

What is Loan-to-Value Ratio?

The Loan-to-Value (LTV) ratio expresses how much of a property’s price the bank is willing to finance through a loan. A higher LTV means that the borrower contributes less of their own money, while the bank assumes a greater share of risk. Conversely, a lower LTV reflects a larger contribution from the buyer and a smaller risk exposure for the lender.

To illustrate, consider Suman’s case. The property value and the loan amount remain the same in some scenarios, yet the LTV changes as prices fluctuate. Here is a Table to explain the scenario in a better way:
 

The table shows that as property value increases, the LTV falls, reducing the bank’s exposure. When property value decreases, the LTV rises, signalling higher risk.

How to Calculate LTV?

The calculation is straightforward:

LTV (%) = (Loan Amount ÷ Property Value) × 100

• Loan Amount refers to the money borrowed from the bank.
   
• Property Value refers to the value assessed by an official property valuation.

For example, Raj purchased a home valued at ₹60 lakh with a loan of ₹48 lakh.

LTV = (₹48 lakh ÷ ₹60 lakh) × 100 = 80%

Let’s understand it better with a table:
 

This example demonstrates how LTV can be calculated in four simple steps, providing clarity for both lenders and borrowers.

RBI Guidelines for LTV in India

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regulates the maximum permissible LTV ratios to ensure safe lending practices and stability in the housing market.

Example: In March 2025, Priya applied for a home loan of ₹80 lakh to purchase a property worth ₹1 crore. Her LTV stood at 80%. However, as the loan size exceeded ₹75 lakh, the RBI guideline capped her permissible LTV at 75%. Consequently, she needed to contribute an additional ₹5 lakh as her own investment.

Here is a clear picture of the max. LTV as per the loan size: 
 

The RBI limits provide borrowers with a clear framework to assess financing eligibility before applying, reducing uncertainty in the loan process.

Why LTV Matters for Homebuyers?

For borrowers, the LTV ratio determines not only how much of the property cost is financed but also the down payment required. A favourable LTV can lead to better interest rates, smoother approvals, and increased negotiating power.

Consider Aditya, a 34-year-old engineer in Pune. He wished to buy a flat worth ₹60 lakh. Bank A offered him 80% LTV, translating to a loan of ₹48 lakh. Bank B extended only 70% LTV, approving ₹42 lakh. Under Bank A’s offer, Aditya’s down payment stood at ₹12 lakh, whereas Bank B required ₹18 lakh. The difference increased his monthly EMI by approximately ₹5,000, highlighting the significant role LTV plays in financial planning.

Thus, the Loan-to-Value ratio is not just a figure in the lending process; it influences affordability, repayment, and the long-term financial stability of the borrower.

Impact of LTV on Loan Terms

The Loan-to-Value (LTV) ratio affects how much you borrow, how much you pay upfront, and how much interest you owe. A higher LTV means a bigger loan, smaller down payment, but higher EMIs and more interest. A lower LTV means a smaller loan, larger down payment, but cheaper repayment: 

Even a small change in LTV can save or cost you lakhs during the loan period.

LTV for Property Investors

For investors, LTV is not just about EMIs. It affects profits, risks, and returns.

Meera, a property investor, bought 3 flats in Gurugram, each worth ₹50 lakh. With 80% LTV, she got loans of ₹40 lakh per flat. She paid only ₹30 lakh in total upfront. Later, she sold the flats for ₹60 lakh each. Her total profit was ₹30 lakh. That gave her a 100% return on her investment.

If the LTV was 60%, she had to pay ₹20 lakh per flat upfront. That is ₹60 lakh in total. The profit stayed the same, but her ROI dropped to 50%.

This shows how LTV can make or break returns for investors.

High vs Low LTV: Pros and Cons

A high LTV means less upfront payment but more EMIs and interest. A low LTV means more upfront payment but lower EMIs and less interest.

Vikas bought a property worth ₹80 lakh. With 90% LTV, he borrowed ₹72 lakh and paid ₹8 lakh upfront. His EMI was ₹62,500, and total interest was ₹75 lakh. At 70% LTV, his loan was ₹56 lakh. EMI was ₹48,600, and total interest was ₹58 lakh. But he had to pay ₹24 lakh upfront.

High LTV keeps cash in hand but costs more later. Low LTV costs more at the start but saves money long term.

Ways to Improve Your LTV Ratio

Banks give better LTV offers if you look less risky. You can:

• Pay a bigger down payment.
   
• Negotiate a lower property price.
   
• Keep your credit score above 750.

Seema, a teacher in Delhi, bought a flat worth ₹40 lakh. With 90% LTV, her loan was ₹36 lakh. EMI was ₹31,200. She added ₹5 lakh more as down payment. Her loan dropped to ₹31 lakh. EMI fell by ₹4,300, and she saved ₹9 lakh interest in 20 years.

Even small changes in down payment or loan size can save you a big amount over time.

Effect of LTV on Loan Approval and Interest Rates

The Loan-to-Value ratio functions as more than a numerical benchmark for borrowing; it is a decisive factor influencing both the probability of loan approval and the ultimate cost of financing through interest.

Karan, a 32-year-old software professional in Bengaluru, sought financing for a residential property priced at ₹70 lakh. With savings of ₹14 lakh, he applied for a loan of ₹56 lakh, producing an LTV of 80%. His application was approved promptly, and the bank extended an interest rate of 8.2%. 

By contrast, his colleague Sameer targeted a property worth ₹60 lakh but applied for the same ₹56 lakh loan, creating an LTV of 93%. This figure exceeded RBI’s prescribed ceiling, leading the bank to sanction only ₹45 lakh at 75% LTV. Sameer was required to contribute ₹11 lakh more while also accepting a higher interest rate of 9%, reflecting the additional risk borne by the lender: 

• Approval probability: As LTV rises, approval becomes uncertain since banks perceive the borrower as a higher-risk candidate.
   
• Cost of borrowing: Elevated LTV generally attracts higher rates of interest, while lower LTV is rewarded with cheaper financing.
   
• Flexibility of tenure: Lower LTV encourages banks to offer longer repayment windows with greater confidence.
   
• Risk evaluation: Lenders employ LTV as a measure of financial prudence and repayment capacity.

Thus, an applicant maintaining LTV within RBI’s mandated limits not only improves approval odds but also secures comparatively lower financing costs.

Let’s understand it in a table for more clear picture: 
 

The comparison illustrates that declining LTV values consistently enhance the borrower’s position by improving approval certainty and reducing borrowing costs.

LTV Ratio vs. Credit Score: How Both Affect Your Home Loan

LTV ratio shows how much of the property’s value you want to borrow. Credit score tells how good you are at repaying loans. Both matter for loan approval.

Example:

Ravi applied for ₹48 lakh on a ₹60 lakh flat (LTV 80%) with a credit score of 780. His loan was approved easily.

Sanjay applied for the same loan but had a score of 620. His loan was delayed and approved at a higher interest rate.

Here is a table explaining how it will affect the home loan: 
 

Strong credit and a safe LTV improve approval chances and reduce loan costs.

Tips to Maintain a Healthy LTV When Applying for a Loan

A lower LTV is better for safer borrowing and easier approval. Here’s how to keep it in control:

• Increase your down payment
  Bigger down payment reduces loan amount and LTV.
   
• Choose property within budget
  Smaller property value = lower loan = lower LTV.
   
• Maintain a good credit score
  A higher score gives better loan terms at lower LTV.
   
• Avoid borrowing the full eligible amount
  Borrowing less than the maximum lowers LTV and risk.
   
• Compare bank offers
  Some banks offer better LTV deals for first-time buyers or salaried applicants.

A well-managed LTV keeps your loan affordable and reduces approval stress.

Conclusion

The Loan-to-Value (LTV) ratio is one of the most important things to understand when buying a home or investing in property. It tells you how much of your property’s value the bank will fund and how much you must pay yourself. A lower LTV means you bring in more money, while a higher LTV means more bank support but stricter conditions.

FAQs

1. Can a low credit score be balanced by a low LTV ratio?
Yes, a lower LTV may help offset the risk of a poor credit score, but approval still depends on the bank’s policies.

2. What is the safest LTV ratio to aim for when applying for a home loan?
An LTV of 75% to 80% is generally considered safe and improves approval chances.

3. Do banks give better interest rates for lower LTV loans?
Yes, lower LTV loans are less risky for banks, so they often come with lower interest rates.

4. How often does RBI change LTV guidelines?
The RBI updates rules when the market changes. For example, during crises, RBI sometimes allows higher LTVs to support borrowers.

5. Is LTV relevant for commercial properties?
Yes. LTV applies to both residential and commercial loans, though banks may set different limits for each.
 

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