horseÂ·shoe. n. 1. A flat U-shaped metal plate fitted and nailed to the bottom of a horse's hoof for protection. 2. A U-shaped object similar to a horseshoe. 3. horseshoes (used with a sing. verb) A game in which players toss horseshoes or horseshoe-shaped metal pieces at a stake so as to encircle it or come closer to it than the other players.
What is the 'Loan-To-Value Ratio - LTV Ratio'. The loan-to-value ratio (LTV ratio) is a lending risk assessment ratio that financial institutions and others lenders examine before approving a mortgage.
If the loan to value (LTV) ratio of a first mortgage is greater than 80%, lenders generally require private mortgage insurance (PMI). In such a case, it can sometimes be economical for a borrower to limit the size of the first mortgage to an 80% LTV and use secondary financing to borrow the remaining amount needed.