# Loan to Cost (LTC)

- Link: https://johnmorelli.us/loan-to-cost-ltc/
- Published: 2024-07-06T21:45:10+00:00
- Author: John Morelli

#### How to Calculate Loan to Cost Ratio (LTC)

From the perspective of lenders underwriting a loan, the loan to cost (LTC) measures
the riskiness of a requested loan by comparing the total loan amount to the total
cost of the project.

 * **Total Loan** → The total size of the loan provided by the lender to financing
   the real estate project.
 * **Total Project Cost** → The cost component depends on the context of the project.
   For instance, the cost in a development project is likely to be the construction
   costs, or the purchase price in acquisition projects.

The loan to cost (LTC) is often used in conjunction with the [loan to value](https://insigniafs.com/loan-to-value-ratio-ltv/)
ratio (LTV) and the debt service coverage ([DSCR](https://insigniafs.com/debt-service-coverage-ratio-dscr/))
ratio to determine the risk profile of a potential borrower.

The real estate lender’s decision on the loan request, the [sizing of the loan](https://insigniafs.com/loan-sizing/),
and the financing terms, such as interest rate pricing, are predicated on the borrower’s
credit risk.

Each ratio is a measure of risk to gauge the likelihood of the borrower defaulting
on the loan.

But unique to the loan to cost ratio (LTC), the metric is perceived as more conservative,
which appeals to real estate lenders that prioritize capital preservation over yield.

The LTC ratio is a tool for lenders to gauge the risk posed by a requested loan 
to fund a project, whereas real estate investors use the ratio to determine their
required equity contribution to complete the project.

#### Loan to Cost Ratio Formula (LTC)

The loan to cost ratio (LTC) formula divides the total loan amount by the total 
development cost of the real estate project.

**Loan to Cost Ratio (LTC) =** Total Loan **÷** Total Development Cost

Since the LTC ratio is expressed as a percentage, the resulting figure must then
be multiplied by 100.

The “Total Development Cost” includes the following cost categories:

 * **Hard Costs** → Construction Materials and Labor Costs, Site Work Activities,
   Utilities Set-Up (HVAC), Landscaping, Parking Lot and Paving Costs
 * **Soft Costs** → Architectural Design, Engineering Planning, Inspection and Permit
   Fees, Professional Services (Legal, Accounting Fees), Maintenance and Insurance
   Costs
 * **Property Acquisition Costs** → Land Acquisition, Property Purchase Price
 * **Operating Expenses **→ General and Administrative (G&A), Security Fees, Property
   Management Fees, Payroll, Marketing, Advertising

In comparison, the [loan to value ratio](https://insigniafs.com/loan-to-value-ratio-ltv/)(
LTV) divides the total loan amount by the property’s fair value. The property value
is based on an appraisal of its current fair market value (FMV).

**Loan to Value Ratio (LTV) =** **Total Loan ÷ Property Value**