Your loan-to-value (LTV) ratio is one of the most important numbers in your refinancing journey. It tells lenders how much of your property's value is still covered by debt — and it directly determines whether you qualify for refinancing, what interest rate you'll be offered, and how much you can borrow. Philippine banks typically require an LTV of 80% or below to approve a home loan refinance, meaning you need at least 20% equity in your home.
Whether you're with BDO, BPI, Metrobank, Security Bank, or any other Philippine lender, understanding your LTV ratio before you apply can save you time, stress, and potentially tens of thousands of pesos. Use this guide to calculate your LTV, understand what it means, and find out how to improve it so you can access the best refinance rates available — including rates as low as 5.99% p.a. through current Philippine home loan interest rates.
A loan-to-value (LTV) ratio is a percentage that compares your outstanding loan balance to your property's current appraised value. It tells the bank how much of your home's value is financed by debt versus how much you own outright (your equity).
For example, if your home is worth 5,000,000 and your remaining loan balance is 3,500,000, your LTV ratio is 70% — meaning you own 30% of your home's value free and clear. Lenders use this figure to assess risk: the higher your LTV, the more the bank is exposed if you default, which is why lower LTV ratios generally unlock better loan terms and lower interest rates.
The LTV formula is straightforward:
LTV Ratio = (Outstanding Loan Balance ÷ Current Appraised Property Value) × 100
Here are three practical examples using common Philippine loan amounts:
- Example 1 — Low LTV: Loan balance of 1,800,000 on a property worth 3,000,000 → LTV = (1,800,000 ÷ 3,000,000) × 100 = 60%. Excellent position for refinancing.
- Example 2 — Moderate LTV: Loan balance of 3,200,000 on a property worth 4,000,000 → LTV = (3,200,000 ÷ 4,000,000) × 100 = 80%. At the typical maximum threshold for most banks.
- Example 3 — High LTV: Loan balance of 4,500,000 on a property worth 5,000,000 → LTV = (4,500,000 ÷ 5,000,000) × 100 = 90%. May be difficult to refinance without additional equity.
To use this calculator yourself, you need two numbers: your current outstanding balance (check your latest bank statement or amortization schedule) and your property's current market value (ideally from a recent bank appraisal).
Most Philippine commercial banks set a maximum LTV of 80% for home loan refinancing. This means your outstanding loan balance must not exceed 80% of your property's appraised value at the time of application. Here's a summary of typical LTV limits by lender type:
- BDO, BPI, Metrobank, Security Bank, RCBC: Generally up to 80% LTV for refinancing
- UnionBank, EastWest Bank, Chinabank, PSBank: Typically 70–80% LTV
- PNB, Robinsons Bank: Up to 80% LTV depending on property type and location
- Pag-IBIG (HDMF): Up to 90% LTV in some cases, particularly for socialized and economic housing
- Landbank: Up to 70–80% LTV for eligible borrowers
It's important to note that each bank uses its own appraiser to determine your property's value — not the purchase price or your municipality's zonal value. This appraised value is what the LTV calculation is based on, and it may differ from what you expect.
Your LTV ratio is one of the key factors banks use to price your interest rate. The lower your LTV, the less risk the bank assumes — and the more competitive the rate they're willing to offer you.
While Philippine banks don't always publish explicit LTV-based rate tiers (unlike some international markets), the practical effect is real:
- LTV below 60%: You're in the strongest negotiating position. Banks view you as a low-risk borrower and are more likely to offer their best promotional rates — currently as low as 5.99% p.a. through Nook.
- LTV of 60–75%: Still a strong position. Most banks will approve your application readily and offer competitive rates.
- LTV of 75–80%: You'll likely still qualify, but you may have fewer lender options and less room to negotiate.
- LTV above 80%: Most banks will decline or require you to bring your loan balance down before proceeding.
The difference between a 7.5% rate (common for existing borrowers who haven't refinanced) and 5.99% p.a. on a 3,000,000 loan over 20 years translates to savings of roughly 560,000 in total interest paid.
For refinancing purposes in the Philippines, the property value used in the LTV calculation is always the bank's formal appraisal value — not the original purchase price, not the tax declaration value, and not the zonal value set by the BIR.
Here's what you need to know about property appraisals for refinancing:
- The bank orders the appraisal: When you apply to refinance, the new lender sends their accredited appraiser to inspect your property. You typically pay an appraisal fee ranging from 3,000 to 5,000.
- Appraisals can go up or down: If your area has seen strong property appreciation, your LTV may be better than you think. Conversely, if prices have softened, your LTV may be higher than expected.
- Different banks may appraise differently: Two banks can appraise the same property at different values, which is one reason it's worth comparing multiple lenders — something Nook does for you automatically.
- Improvements may boost value: Major renovations (new rooms, upgraded finishes, additional floors) can increase your appraised value and lower your effective LTV.
It's difficult but not always impossible. Your options when your LTV exceeds 80% include:
- Pag-IBIG refinancing: Pag-IBIG (HDMF) allows LTVs up to 90% in some housing segments, making it one of the few formal lenders that may still accommodate higher-LTV borrowers. Their rates and maximum loan amounts differ from commercial banks.
- Partial prepayment: Making a lump-sum payment to bring your balance down before applying can move you into the qualifying range. Use our prepayment calculator to see how much you'd need to pay to hit an 80% LTV.
- Wait for property appreciation: If your area is appreciating, waiting 12–24 months could naturally push your LTV below 80% without any extra payments.
- Negotiate with your existing bank: Rather than switching lenders, ask your current bank for a rate repricing. While the savings may be smaller than a full refinance, there's no appraisal threshold to clear.
If you're close to 80% — say 82–85% — it's worth getting a formal appraisal first. Property values in many Philippine cities have risen significantly, and you may already be below 80% without realising it.
There are two levers you can pull to reduce your LTV: increase your property's appraised value, or reduce your outstanding loan balance. Here are practical strategies for each:
Reduce your loan balance:
- Make a one-time lump-sum prepayment (from savings, a bonus, or a family loan) to bring your principal down before applying
- Switch to bi-weekly payments temporarily — this effectively makes one extra payment per year and chips away at principal faster
Increase your property's appraised value:
- Complete any unfinished areas of your home (e.g., a rooftop deck, enclosed garage, or additional bedroom)
- Upgrade kitchens and bathrooms, which tend to have the highest impact on appraisal values
- Ensure your property is well-maintained and presentable for the appraisal visit — first impressions matter even to professional appraisers
Time your application strategically:
- If your area has seen recent infrastructure developments (new roads, malls, MRT stations), your property may now be worth significantly more than when you bought it
- Apply during periods of stronger real estate market activity when comparable sales support higher valuations
Yes, Pag-IBIG (HDMF) applies its own LTV rules that differ from commercial banks in a few important ways:
- Higher maximum LTV: Pag-IBIG allows up to 90% LTV for certain property types and loan amounts, compared to the 80% ceiling at most commercial banks. This makes Pag-IBIG refinancing an option for borrowers who don't yet qualify at private banks.
- Loan amount caps: Pag-IBIG has a maximum loan ceiling (currently 6,000,000 for regular housing loans), so if your outstanding balance exceeds this, you'll need to top it up from elsewhere or choose a commercial bank instead.
- Active Pag-IBIG membership required: You must have at least 24 months of Pag-IBIG contributions and be an active member to qualify for their housing loan programs.
- Interest rate structure: Pag-IBIG rates are set periodically by HDMF and may or may not be competitive compared to commercial bank offers depending on the current rate environment.
When comparing your options, it's worth getting quotes from both Pag-IBIG and commercial banks. Nook compares across multiple lenders simultaneously, so you can see all your options in one place without having to apply separately to each.
A combined loan-to-value (CLTV) ratio applies when you have more than one loan secured against the same property — for example, a primary home loan plus a home equity line or a second mortgage. The CLTV adds together all loans secured by the property and divides by the property's value.
CLTV Formula: (Loan 1 Balance + Loan 2 Balance) ÷ Property Value × 100
Example: You have a 2,500,000 home loan and a 500,000 home equity loan on a property worth 4,000,000. Your CLTV = (2,500,000 + 500,000) ÷ 4,000,000 × 100 = 75%.
In the Philippines, CLTV is less commonly discussed than in markets like the US, but it is relevant if you have multiple obligations tied to your property. Philippine banks will typically look at all liens registered against your property title during their due diligence. If there are outstanding second mortgages or liens, these will factor into how much a refinancing lender is willing to extend. In most cases, Philippine banks prefer to be the sole mortgagee on the property title when refinancing.
The savings from refinancing can be substantial — especially if you're still on a rate you locked in several years ago or if you've never renegotiated with your bank. Most Filipino homeowners are currently paying between 7% and 10% per annum on their home loans, while Nook can access rates as low as 5.99% p.a.
Here's what the savings look like across common loan scenarios (comparing 8% current rate vs. 5.99% refinance rate, 20-year remaining term):
- 2,000,000 loan: Monthly payment drops from approximately 16,729 to approximately 14,322 — saving roughly 2,407 per month, or about 577,680 over 20 years
- 4,000,000 loan: Monthly payment drops from approximately 33,458 to approximately 28,644 — saving roughly 4,814 per month, or about 1,155,360 over 20 years
- 6,000,000 loan: Monthly payment drops from approximately 50,187 to approximately 42,967 — saving roughly 7,220 per month, or about 1,732,800 over 20 years
These figures don't account for refinancing costs (legal fees, appraisal, documentation) so you'll want to calculate your break-even point too. Use our home loan refinance calculator to model your exact situation with your actual balance, current rate, and remaining term to see your personalised savings estimate.