Ask how much equity you can borrow and the answer almost always comes back as a ratio. Combined loan to value, or CLTV, is the calculation that sets the ceiling on nearly every home equity loan and HELOC offer. This guide explains what it measures and how to estimate your own. It is educational only, and every figure below is a typical structure rather than a promise — borrowing against your home puts the home at risk if you fall behind.
What CLTV measures
CLTV compares all debt secured by the property against the property's value. Add your first mortgage balance to any second mortgage or line balance, then divide by the appraised value.
A home valued at 400,000 with a 240,000 mortgage sits at 60% CLTV. If a company works to an 80% ceiling, the total secured debt allowed is 320,000 — leaving roughly 80,000 of borrowing capacity before other criteria are applied.
LTV vs. CLTV
- LTV counts one loan only, usually the first mortgage.
- CLTV counts every lien together, which is what matters for a second-position product.
- Some companies also quote HCLTV, which counts the full HELOC limit rather than the drawn balance — an important difference if you plan to keep a large unused line.
Typical CLTV limits and why they vary
Companies often work to a combined loan-to-value limit somewhere around 80–85% on a primary residence, and some advertise higher tiers for strong applicants. Limits are typically tighter for rentals, second homes, condominiums, and manufactured housing, and they vary by company, credit profile, and market.
For the wider product context, start with the home equity borrowing hub and the comparison of home equity loan vs HELOC.
Estimating your available equity
- Estimate your home's value — but expect the company to use its own figure. See home appraisals for home equity products.
- Add every secured balance, including any solar or PACE-style lien.
- Multiply your value estimate by the CLTV limit you are testing.
- Subtract your existing balances. What remains is the theoretical maximum.
Treat that number as a ceiling, not an offer.
What else affects the amount offered
CLTV caps the maximum; other factors decide whether you reach it:
- Credit history and score.
- Debt-to-income ratio — the payment still has to fit your budget.
- Income documentation and employment stability.
- Property type and occupancy.
- Minimum and maximum line sizes set by each company.
Compare advertised offers
CLTV ceilings are one of the clearest points of difference between companies. Explore finance categories and compare advertised offers, then confirm the limit and the valuation method directly.
Frequently asked questions
How much equity can I borrow from my home?
It depends on the CLTV ceiling a company applies, your home's appraised value, and your existing liens. Many companies work to roughly 80–85% combined loan-to-value on a primary residence, but limits and eligibility criteria vary and no amount is guaranteed.
What is the difference between LTV and CLTV?
LTV measures a single loan against the property's value. CLTV adds every lien secured by the home together — first mortgage plus any second mortgage or HELOC — which is the figure that matters when you apply for equity borrowing.
Does an unused HELOC limit count toward CLTV?
Sometimes. Some companies calculate against the drawn balance, others against the full approved credit line, occasionally called HCLTV. Because it can change how much further borrowing you qualify for, ask which method a company uses.
Disclaimer: GoFunding.Shop is an advertising marketplace, not a lender, bank, broker, credit-repair company, or financial advisor. We do not approve applications, set rates, or guarantee funding. Always confirm the full terms — APR, fees, and repayment schedule — directly with the advertising company before you apply.