Which figure is used to calculate your Annual Percentage Rate (APR)?

The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is a critical figure that helps borrowers understand the true cost of a loan over its term, encompassing not just the interest rate but also any additional fees associated with the financing. The amount financed is essential in this calculation because it represents the net amount of money that the borrower is receiving after any upfront costs are deducted.

To calculate the APR, lenders take into consideration how much money is being financed (amount financed) and the total of all charges and costs that are part of obtaining the loan. This allows for a comprehensive look at the borrowing costs, giving borrowers a clearer picture of how much they will ultimately be paying, expressed as an annualized rate.

In contrast, the loan amount represents the total amount borrowed but does not account for any fees or upfront costs. Credit scores may influence the interest rate a borrower receives but do not directly enter into the APR calculation itself. Appraisal value can affect the loan-to-value ratio but has no direct impact on APR. Consequently, the amount financed is the correct figure used in calculating the APR, as it encapsulates the real cost of borrowing.