Know Your Ratio – Loan to Value and Debt to Income

By Andrea Carangelo

If you are thinking about refinancing a loan or requesting your private mortgage insurance (PMI) be removed, you should know your loan to value ratio.

It is easy to figure out using these steps:

If you will be applying for a loan:

1) Start with the purchase price of the property as the value for the property. (example: $150,000)

2) Subtract the amount of your down payment ($20,000).

3) Take the loan amount which will be the purchase price minus the down payment ($130,000)

4) Divide loan amount ($130,000) by the purchase price ($150,000=value). It would look like this: $130,000 divided by $150,000, which equals 0.87, or 87 percent=your ratio.

5) Use this number with your lender when referring to your loan.

Most loans with an LTV over 80 percent require PMI.

If You Already Have a Loan:

1) You should get an appraisal of your property. This is the only way to get an accurate assessment of its value. If you are just doing this so you are aware of your loan to value ratio, you can save the appraisal fee and estimate the value by comparing your property to similar homes in your neighborhood that have sold. This will be the value number for the equation

2) Look on your most recent loan statement to find out how much you owe (your balance). This will be the loan number for the equation.

3) Divide the loan figure by the value figure. This is your ratio.

If you are requesting the removal of PMI, you will have to get an appraisal. In removing PMI, you may request in writing to your current lender that the PMI be removed if the ratio is 80 percent or less. If you request an appraisal and the value is not high enough, you will still pay for the appraisal.

When you apply for a loan, mortgage loan or any other type of credit, Lenders use your debt to income ratio (how much you owe on credit cards and loans compared to how much you earn) to help evaluate your credit.

How You Can Figure Your Debt To Income Ratio:

1) Add up your total net monthly income. This includes your monthly wages and any overtime, commissions or bonuses that are guaranteed; plus alimony payments received, if applicable. If your income varies, figure the monthly average for the past two years. Include any money earned from any other additional income.

2) Add up your monthly debt. This includes all of your credit card bills, loan and mortgage payments. If you rent, be sure to include your rent payments.

3) Divide your total monthly debt by your total monthly income. This is your total debt to income ratio.

4) If your ratio is higher than 0.36, which professionals would call a score of 36. The lower the better. If the score is higher than 36 it might cause an increase in the interest rate or the down payment on a loan you apply for.

Remember:

When you total your monthly debts, use the minimum payment on your statements.
When calculating your income, a lender usually only considers money from a job that you have been at for at least two years.
Unreported earned income cannot be used in the calculation.

AC Associates helping individuals across the United States reach their financial goals. We offer a program to Home Owners on how to successfully sell their home by offering Owner Financing. Purchaser of Owner Financed Mortgage Notes, Deeds of Trust, Lawsuit Settlements, Life Insurance, Lottery/Contest Winnings and Seller Financed Business Notes.
http://www.acassociatesusa.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrea_Carangelo
http://EzineArticles.com/?Know-Your-Ratio—Loan-to-Value-and-Debt-to-Income&id=609658