LTV, or loan-to-value, is a percentage figure reflecting the amount of loan you're looking for in relation to the value of your property. It specifies the proportion of the property that's mortgaged and the amount that's yours – the amount of equity you've got – so a mortgage at 90% LTV will mean that 90% of the property will be mortgaged, and you'll have equity of 10%.

Essentially, at 90% LTV you're able to secure a mortgage with a deposit of just 10%, meaning you'd only need to save 10% of the value of the property to put down upfront. This is why 90% LTV mortgage loans are often preferred by first-time buyers or those without significant savings, as they won't have to find an even greater sum of money.

Even so, saving a 10% deposit can still be a challenge, and you may be tempted to opt for a 95% LTV mortgage deal instead, which would mean you only need to save a deposit of 5% and could get on the ladder sooner. However, it's worth remembering that mortgage rates at 95% LTV are higher than those for 90% mortgages – so in the long run, it could be worth saving that bit more initially so you can enjoy lower repayments for the term of your mortgage. Get a 10% mortgage deposit together and your budget could thank you for it!

Saving up enough of a deposit to secure that all-important mortgage is always a challenge, yet thanks to the abundance of 90% LTV mortgages on offer, you may be able to succeed sooner than you think.

Getting your first mortgage will likely be a long time in the making. First, you'll have to start saving, making sacrifices over the months and years to build your 10% mortgage deposit, before you can finally start looking for that first mortgage deal. You'll need to make sure that your credit score is up to scratch, too, because if not, no amount of savings will guarantee you'll be accepted.

Once you're confident you've got the savings and the credit score you need, it's time to get searching! Use our Best Buys or mortgage calculator to compare 90% LTV mortgages and find the right deal for you, but make sure to bear in mind these points:

• The best 10% deposit mortgages are usually those that offer the lowest mortgage rate, as this will ensure your repayments will stay as low as possible for the term of your mortgage.

• However, there are plenty of other factors to consider, and the cheapest 90% LTV mortgage may not always be the best. You’ll also need to consider the fee, which can take up a considerable chunk of your savings pot and may mean that the cheapest 90% LTV mortgage rate may not actually work out as the best value.

• Look at any incentive packages included in the deal. Many offer incentives such as free legal fees or free valuations – both of which can help shave a considerable amount off moving costs – and some even offer cashback on completion.

• Affordability. Being able to prove that you can afford the mortgage now and should rates rise is essential, and lenders will want to see evidence of your income, outgoings and any additional costs you have to bear.

• Do your sums, considering everything from the fee to the incentives and overall mortgage rate, to work out which 90% mortgage loan will work out the best over the term of your mortgage deal.

Many people assume that 90% LTV mortgages are the preserve of first-time buyers, but this isn't always the case. Thanks to the rise of 95% LTV mortgages in recent years, many borrowers who took such a deal could find they're now coming to the end of their fixed rate term and need to remortgage, and in many cases they'll have paid off enough of the balance to move to a lower LTV bracket in the process. This means there's a growing market for remortgage loans at 90% LTV, and providers are accommodating.

Moving home with a 90% LTV mortgage is similar to having any other kind of mortgage, in that you'll need to speak to your lender to see what they advise. Generally, it shouldn't pose too many problems – most mortgages are portable, which means you should be able to transfer your 90% mortgage from the home you originally borrowed against to the new property.

Bear in mind that the lender will want the new property valued, and if it's worth more than your current home, you may have to borrow more to secure the mortgage against it, which could result in further affordability checks. You may also have to pay a transfer fee to port the mortgage, so make sure to factor this into your moving costs.

This will be a vital consideration whether you're getting your first mortgage, are remortgaging or want to move home, and one that's often based on personal preference, but it's important to choose wisely. Variable rate mortgages are often cheaper than their fixed rate counterparts but remember that these rates can vary according to things like base rate movement – if you think base rate will rise in the near future, it could be wise to hedge your bets and opt for a fixed rate 90% LTV mortgage, guaranteeing your repayments for the long term.

Our mortgage calculator helps you to see how much your mortgage might cost you each month.

Our how much can I borrow calculator gives you a range of how much a lender might consider lending you under a mortgage. This calculation is only an indication only.

Read our How much can I borrow for a mortgage guide to find out more about what can impact your potential sum of borrowing.

Want the best 90% mortgages? Then you need to get comparing! This is the only way to be confident you're getting the best and cheapest 90% LTV mortgage for your needs, but you need to make sure you go about it the right way.

Start the process by looking at our chart of the best 90% LTV mortgages available, or for a more personalised overview, use our mortgage calculator to get a tailored list of the deals that could be right for you. Just make sure to compare all features of the 90% LTV mortgage loans presented to you, rather than focusing on rate alone, to ensure you'll be left with the deal that's the most cost-effective for the long-term.

How many 90% mortgages are available?

This is a difficult one to answer as new mortgages are brought out and old ones withdrawn on a regular basis, but what we can say is that there are usually many products available several hundred, in fact. This means you've got plenty of choice if you're looking for a new deal, so compare 90% LTV mortgages to see the kind of options available.

Who offers 90% mortgages on new builds?

This is another tricky one to answer as the market is constantly changing, but as a general rule, securing a 90% LTV mortgage may be slightly more difficult on a new build than an older home. As it stands, most mortgage providers won't lend at more than 85% LTV for a new build house, and this could even fall to 75% for a new build flat, so you may need to do a bit of digging to secure a deal to suit.

This is where heading to a broker or specialist financial adviser can come in, as they'll be able to help you narrow down the options, and if you're struggling, you may want to consider the Help to Buy equity loan scheme. This can allow you to secure a lower LTV mortgage with the help of a Government loan, and you'd still only put down a 10% or even 5% deposit. Find out more about this option here.

What are the risks of this kind of mortgage?

The risks of 10% deposit mortgages are similar to those for any other kind of loan, with the key one being the risk of default. Lenders view higher LTV lending as riskier given the size of the loan and the resulting repayments, which is why it's so important to make certain that you can afford the repayments – both now and should rates rise in the future – and why lenders are so strict with their criteria.

Then there's the risk of negative equity. If the value of your home plummeted by more than 10%, you could end up owning more in a mortgage than your home's worth, potentially leaving you a mortgage prisoner as it'd be incredibly difficult to remortgage. This is why making overpayments is often recommended if you can afford to, giving you the chance to reduce interest payments and even remortgage to a lower LTV.

Why are rates higher than at lower LTVs?

Even the cheapest 90% LTV mortgage rate will typically be higher than that for lower LTVs, for the same reason as above – the risk associated with this form of lending. Providers are giving you a hefty amount of money in relation to the value of the property, which puts their loan at greater risk should you default, and as a result they're asking you to pay more for the privilege.

Can I get buy-to-let mortgages at 90% LTV?

As a rule, no, at least not if you're a first-time landlord. Lenders rarely offer 90% LTV buy-to-let mortgages, and if they do, you'll typically need to have a good track record with that lender, which may include a portfolio of mortgaged (and profitable) properties with them already.

At the very least, you'll need to already have a mortgaged property – first-time buyers will be highly unlikely to secure a buy-to-let 90% LTV deal – but even then it could be tricky. This means anyone searching for a 90% LTV buy-to-let deal will have to go down a more bespoke route; which means speak to your lender, a broker or financial adviser, who will be able to give you some tailored answers.

How can I find the best 10% deposit mortgages?

Compare the options! This is the only way to ensure you find the best 90% LTV mortgages, so head to our mortgage calculator to get started.