Final answer:
The loan-to-value ratio is an important underwriting criterion because it determines the risk of default. Lenders use the loan-to-value ratio to assess the risk of default and ensure that the loan is adequately collateralized.
Step-by-step explanation:
The loan-to-value ratio is an important underwriting criterion because it determines the risk of default (C). The loan-to-value ratio is a measure of the ratio between the loan amount and the appraised value of the property. A higher loan-to-value ratio indicates a higher risk of default, as the borrower has less equity in the property. Therefore, lenders use the loan-to-value ratio to assess the risk of default and ensure that the loan is adequately collateralized.