What is the impact of a higher loan-to-value ratio on mortgage approval?

A higher loan-to-value (LTV) ratio indicates that a borrower is financing a larger percentage of the property's value with a mortgage. This situation is often perceived as a greater risk for lenders. When the LTV ratio is high, it means that the borrower has less equity in the property; if the borrower defaults, the lender may not be able to recover their funds through a foreclosure sale. The potential for greater financial loss heightens the lender's risk assessment.

Because of this increased risk, lenders may institute stricter approval criteria for borrowers who present a higher LTV ratio. These criteria could include requiring a higher credit score, additional documentation, or even charging higher interest rates to offset the increased risk. Therefore, a higher LTV ratio can indeed negatively impact mortgage approval likelihood and the terms offered by lenders.

Consequently, the assertion that a higher LTV negatively affects approval aligns well with how lenders evaluate risk and determine lending conditions in the mortgage industry.