Friday, August 8, 2008

Payment Protection Insurance

By Mosley Shepherd


What is PMI and why is it required? Private mortgage insurance (PMI) is insurance written by a private company that protects the lender from losses in the event the borrower defaults on the mortgage. Borrowers are required to pay the premium for private mortgage insurance. Private mortgage insurance limits a lender's exposure to financial loss resulting from loan default. If you make a down payment of less than 20% even if you have a good credit profile, lenders generally require private mortgage insurance.The lender does, although they will generally pass that cost on to the borrower.

How much do I need for a down payment? For conventional mortgages, you need a down payment of at least 20% of the purchase price of a home. You can also get a mortgage with a down payment as low as 5%, but you must insure the mortgage against default. The insurance premium would be included in your regular mortgage payment.Most lenders now offer insured mortgages for both new and resale homes with lower down payment requirements than conventional mortgages - as low as 5%. Low down payment mortgages must be insured to cover potential default of payment, and their carrying costs are therefore higher than a conventional mortgage because they include the insurance premium. the payment of the mortgage default insurance premium (although the amount of the premium may be added to the mortgage amount).Except for the addition of an FHA mortgage insurance premium, FHA closing costs are similar to those of a conventional loan.

How long is this going to last? long as people are buying homes through FHA loans and paying the mortgage insurance premium there will be people due this refund, so you can do this for many years to come.

Do I have to pay Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)? Private mortgage insurance applies when you borrow over the 80% mark. That is, if you purchase a property for $100,000 and seen a $90,000 loan you payment likely will include a monthly mortgage insurance premium. Sometimes lenders offer a ""No MI"" option whereby the monthly mortgage insurance does not apply in return for a slightly higher interest rate.

How long is this going to last? long as people are buying homes through FHA loans and paying the mortgage insurance premium there will be people due this refund, so you can do this for many years to come.Ask your real estate agent or lender for information on the HELP program from the FHA. HELP - Homebuyer Education Learning Program - is structured to help people like you begin the homebuying process. It covers such topics as budgeting, finding a home, getting a loan, and home maintenance. In most cases, completion of this program may entitle you to a reduction in the initial FHA mortgage insurance premium from 2.

How much do I need for a down payment? For conventional mortgages, you need a down payment of at least 20% of the purchase price of a home. You can also get a mortgage with a down payment as low as 5%, but you must insure the mortgage against default. The insurance premium would be included in your regular mortgage payment.Private mortgage insurance (PMI) is insurance written by a private company that protects the lender from losses in the event the borrower defaults on the mortgage.

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