Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) What are Your Options
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it seems the only thing most borrowers understand about Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) is that without it, many of them would be denied mortgages. While for many borrowers, this is indeed the case, it’s important to be aware of the other options that exist.
First, let’s start with the basics: what is PMI? As implied by the name, PMI is literally an insurance policy on your mortgage, which protects the lender in case of default. Typically, PMI is required on mortgages with a loan-to-value of greater than 80% (i.e. when the down-payment is less than 20% of the value of the mortgage). The insurance is calculated as a percentage of the the total mortgage value, and is rolled into the monthly mortgage payment.
PMI is not cheap, and will average about $1,000 per year on a $200,000 mortgage. Generally speaking, insurance premiums for fixed-rate mortgages are lower than for variable-rate mortgages. In addition, long mortgage durations (30 years, as opposed to 15 years), and high loan-to-value mortgages are associated with higher PMI premiums. This is to be expected, since mortgages with these characteristics typically have higher default rates.
One alternative to making monthly PMI payments is to roll a one-time premium into the mortgage. Thanks to current tax rules (mortgage interest is tax-deductible, while PMI premiums are not), it will be cost-effective for the average borrower to do so. Unfortunately, most borrowers are not aware of this possibility, because lenders require special authorization to process it and hence avoid mentioning it to prospective borrowers. Finally, while such a strategy will technically raise the size of your mortgage, some (or even most) of this premium will be rebated to you when it is determined that you no longer need it.
Speaking of which, mortgage insurance is only a temporary outlay. After your loan-to-value ratio exceeds 80%, you will no longer be required to pay for it. This is natural, since if your loan-to-value ratio had been this high when you first obtained the mortgage, you wouldn’t have been required to purchase PMI. In fact, thanks to a law passed in 1999, lenders must take the initiative to cancel the mortgage insurance agreement when the LTV falls below 78%, based on the initial appraised value of the home. Borrowers are also entitled to early cancellation (though, you must request it), if your equity exceeds 25%, based on a current appraisal of the home.
As I mentioned, private mortgage insurance is quite expensive, and hence not-at-all desirable. This is because the mortgage insurer is selected by the lender – not by the borrower – which doesn’t have as much of an incentive to cut costs. Accordingly, it might be economical to pay a higher interest rate in lieu of PMI, if your lender offers you such an option. The best approach is to simply (save up until you can afford to) make a higher down-payment, such that PMI is no longer necessary.Visit Here Now http://mortgage-loan-broker.blogspot.com
Visit Here Now http://mortgage-loan-broker.blogspot.com
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