Are you confused about the mortgage insurance programs? Most homeowners already know about PMI or private mortgage insurance whereas most prospective home buyers may not be familiar with the term. PMI is a specific kind of insurance attached to a mortgage loan when the buyer (borrower) doesn’t put down at least 20% of the value of the home at the time of purchase. PMI may also apply on a refinance loan as well if the borrower hasn’t accrued 20% equity in their current home.
Queries About Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)
When you consider the additional expenses involved in closing costs and maintaining monthly mortgage payments, it’s easy to figure out why some homebuyers are hesitant about incurring the additional expense of private mortgage insurance. Regardless, PMI can be a valuable tool in some situations by providing you with an opportunity to avoid making a huge down payment.
In order to better understand what private mortgage insurance is all about, here are 3 questions regarding PMI:
- Do you have to continue paying private mortgage insurance throughout the loan? It won’t be necessary to carry PMI throughout the course of the loan. According to the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA), lenders are required to drop PMI once your home loan balance has decreased to 78% of the home’s original sale price – provided you’re in good standing with the lender and haven’t missed any mortgage payments. Lenders must also drop PMI once you’ve reached the halfway point of the loan’s amortization schedule (i.e. the 15th year of a 30-year mortgage).
- What is the cost of PMI? The cost can vary significantly from one transaction to the next. Factors such as the down payment amount and the home’s purchase price can affect what the borrower will have to pay for PMI. On average, you’ll pay between $30 and $70 monthly for every $100,000 that you’ve borrowed. Consequently, PMI is often a good option for those individuals who want to purchase a home but haven’t saved up enough for a large down payment.
- Who benefits from private mortgage insurance? Unlike homeowner’s insurance, PMI protects the lender should you default on your home loan. This means the lender is the actual PMI beneficiary and is therefore protected against the risk associated with taking a smaller down payment on a home from the borrower. While the lender benefits from the protection afforded by PMI, the borrower also benefits by being able to buy a home without a huge down payment.
Get In Touch With Your Columbus Mortgage Specialist
For more information about private mortgage insurance, call Liberty Capital Services at (614) 505-0620 today. Our business representatives are available to assist you with your mortgage requirements and will answer any questions that you may have. Call us today!