Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) is a type of insurance that lenders require for certain mortgages with high loan-to-value (LTV) ratios. Lenders always accept some level of risk with mortgages, and PMI can help lower the risk that some mortgages bring. PMI is usually required when a homebuyer makes a down payment of less than 20% of the home's purchase price. The higher the LTV ratio, the higher the risk profile of the mortgage for the lender. PMI costs can range from 0.5% to 2% of your loan balance per year, depending on various factors such as the size of the down payment and mortgage, the loan term, and the borrower's credit score. It's worth noting that PMI is intended to protect the lender, not the borrower, against potential losses.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
What is PMI? | Private Mortgage Insurance |
Who does PMI protect? | The lender |
When is PMI required? | When the down payment is less than 20% of the purchase price |
How much does PMI cost? | Between $30 and $70 per month for every $100,000 borrowed |
How is PMI calculated? | By multiplying the property value by the PMI percentage provided by the lender |
Can PMI be removed? | Yes, when the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio reaches 80% or lower |
What You'll Learn
Lenders require PMI for high LTV ratios
Lenders always accept some level of risk with mortgages, but PMI can help lower the risk that some mortgages bring. PMI is a type of insurance that lenders require for certain mortgages with high LTV ratios. Although the borrower pays for PMI, it does not protect them. Instead, it protects the lender. If the borrower defaults on their mortgage, PMI pays part of the remaining balance of the loan to the lender.
Most conventional lenders require a down payment of at least 20% of the purchase price. If you can't afford to put down at least 20% on a purchase, you may have to pay for PMI. For refinance loans, your loan-to-value ratio must be 80% or less to avoid having to pay for PMI.
PMI is not required indefinitely. Once your LTV is below 80%, you can request to stop paying PMI. Lenders only require you to pay PMI while your LTV is above 80%.
If you are purchasing a home with a down payment of less than 20% of the home's cost, you will likely be required to pay PMI.
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PMI is recalculated using the current loan balance
Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) is a type of insurance that lenders require for certain mortgages with high loan-to-value (LTV) ratios. The LTV ratio is calculated by dividing the loan amount by the property value. If the result is 80% or lower, the PMI is 0%, meaning you don't have to pay it.
PMI is calculated by multiplying the PMI percentage provided by the lender by the total loan amount. This gives you the annual premium, which can then be divided by 12 to get the monthly premium.
The amount you pay for PMI depends on factors such as the total loan amount and your credit score. As you pay down the loan, the PMI is recalculated using the current loan balance, so the amount you pay decreases over time until it is completely removed.
According to the Homeowners Protection Act, lenders must automatically cancel PMI when the loan balance reaches 78% of the original loan amount. Borrowers can also request PMI cancellation when they have paid down the mortgage to 80% of the loan amount and have met other requirements, such as having no other liens on the property.
There are other ways to get rid of PMI ahead of schedule, such as refinancing the mortgage, getting the home re-appraised, or paying down the mortgage earlier.
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PMI is removed when the LTV ratio drops to 78%
When PMI is Removed When the LTV Ratio Drops to 78%
Private mortgage insurance (PMI) is a type of insurance that lenders require for certain mortgages with high loan-to-value (LTV) ratios. Lenders always accept some level of risk with mortgages, but PMI helps lower the risk that some mortgages bring.
The Homeowners Protection Act of 1998 requires that lenders remove PMI when a borrower reaches a 78% LTV ratio. This is known as automatic PMI termination. Alternatively, the servicer must cancel the PMI at the halfway point of the loan's amortization schedule. For example, if you have a 30-year mortgage, the midpoint would be after 15 years. If you have a 15-year loan, the halfway point is 7.5 years. The PMI payments must stop even if your mortgage balance hasn't yet reached 78% of the home's original value.
How to Get Your PMI Cancelled
The exact procedures for getting your lender to cancel your PMI vary, but you'll most likely need to:
- Contact your lender to find out the appropriate PMI cancellation procedures.
- Get your home appraised by a professional to find out its current market value.
- Calculate your LTV ratio using the results of the appraisal.
- Compare your LTV ratio to that required by the lender. Most lenders require that your LTV ratio be 80% or lower before they will cancel your PMI.
- Write another letter with your request, stating your home's current value and your remaining debt amount, and include a copy of the appraisal report.
Benefits of Having PMI
The main benefit of having PMI is that it lets you make a smaller down payment on a home. In a pricey housing market, that means you can buy a home sooner than if you decided to wait until you could afford a 20% down payment.
Cost of PMI
The average PMI payment ranges from $30 to $70 per month for every $100,000 you borrow, according to Freddie Mac. For example, if you get a $400,000 mortgage, you can expect to pay between $120 and $280 per month. Annual PMI premiums range from 0.46% to 1.5% of your mortgage, depending on your credit score, according to the Urban Institute.
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LTV ratio is calculated by dividing the loan amount by the property value
The loan-to-value (LTV) ratio is a metric used by lenders to assess lending risk before approving a mortgage. It is calculated by dividing the loan amount by the appraised value of the property, expressed as a percentage. For example, if an individual buys a home appraised at $100,000 and makes a $10,000 down payment, they will borrow $90,000. This results in an LTV ratio of 90% (i.e. 90,000/100,000 x 100).
Lenders consider loans with high LTV ratios to be riskier. Therefore, mortgages with higher LTVs often have higher interest rates. Additionally, a loan with a high LTV ratio may require the borrower to purchase private mortgage insurance (PMI) to offset the risk to the lender. PMI is intended to protect the lender, not the borrower, against potential losses. It is usually required for conventional loans when the down payment is less than 20% of the home's purchase price.
Lenders typically require PMI on certain loans if the down payment is less than 20% of the market value or purchase price of the home. The cost of PMI can range from 0.22% to 2.25% of the mortgage. The higher the LTV ratio, the higher the PMI rate.
Borrowers can request to eliminate PMI once their LTV ratio—the amount of their loan balance divided by the home's market value—falls below 80%. According to the Homeowners Protection Act, lenders must automatically cancel PMI when the LTV ratio drops to 78%.
Lenders use the combined loan-to-value (CLTV) ratio when more than one loan is involved in the property purchase. The CLTV ratio takes into account all secured loans on a property, including the primary mortgage, any second mortgages, and home equity loans or lines of credit.
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PMI is required for conventional loans with less than 20% down payment
PMI, or private mortgage insurance, is a type of insurance that lenders require for certain mortgages with high loan-to-value (LTV) ratios. It is usually required for conventional loans with a down payment of less than 20% of the home's purchase price. This insurance protects the lender in case the borrower defaults on the loan. It is an added expense that increases the cost of monthly mortgage payments, making the loan more expensive.
The cost of PMI depends on several factors, such as the loan amount, credit score, and LTV ratio. It typically ranges from 0.5% to 2% of the loan balance per year. The higher the LTV ratio and the lower the credit score, the higher the PMI rate will be.
There are a few ways to avoid paying PMI on a conventional loan. One option is to make a down payment of 20% or more. This reduces the LTV ratio and eliminates the need for PMI. Another option is to use a piggyback loan or a second mortgage to cover the remaining 20% of the purchase price. This effectively gives the buyer a 20% down payment and avoids the need for PMI. Additionally, some lenders offer their own conventional loan products without PMI, but these loans usually come with higher interest rates.
For those who cannot afford a 20% down payment, there are other options available. Some lenders may offer low down payment programs, allowing buyers to put down smaller amounts such as 3%. In these cases, PMI is typically required to protect the lender. There are also government-backed loan programs, such as VA loans and USDA Rural Development loans, which do not require PMI and offer low or no down payment options.
It is important to note that PMI can usually be cancelled once the borrower has built up enough equity in the home. The federal Homeowners Protection Act requires lenders to cancel PMI when the loan reaches 78% LTV or at the midpoint of the loan term. Borrowers can also request PMI cancellation once they have reached 20% equity in the home.
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Frequently asked questions
Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) is a type of insurance that lenders require for certain mortgages with high loan-to-value (LTV) ratios. It protects the lender in case the borrower defaults on their mortgage.
PMI is typically required when the down payment on a home is less than 20% of the purchase price.
PMI is calculated by multiplying the PMI percentage provided by the lender by the total loan amount. This will give you the annual PMI premium, which can then be divided by 12 to get the monthly premium.
Yes, PMI can be removed once the borrower has accumulated enough equity in their home. The specific requirements for removing PMI will depend on the lender, but it typically occurs when the LTV ratio drops below 80%.
The cost of PMI will depend on various factors, including the size of the down payment, the mortgage amount, the loan term, and the borrower's credit score. It typically ranges from 0.5% to 2% of the loan balance per year.