Private Mortgage Insurance
Saving for a house is a significant milestone that involves many moving parts and key factors to consider throughout the process. One of these factors that should be addressed is Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI).
History of PMI
Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) was introduced in the 1950s to reduce the risk for mortgage lenders and make homeownership more accessible for borrowers who could not afford to put 20% down. This widened the entry point for homeownership, as before PMI, larger downpayments were required to secure a mortgage. This insurance protects the lender if the borrower defaults on the loan, ultimately allowing the lenders to offer loans to a broader range of people.
Types of PMI
BPMI
The most common type of PMI is borrower-paid PMI or BPMI. This structure includes monthly premiums with your mortgage payment. The lender selects the insurance company; the cost typically ranges from 0.2% to 2% of the loan amount annually. The price is dependent on the borrower's risk factors, such as credit score, loan-to-value ratio, and loan type.
LPMI
Lender-paid mortgage insurance (LPMI) is another type of PMI where, unlike BPMI, the lender pays the PMI premium instead of the borrower. However, this typically results in higher interest rates on the mortgage. Since the PMI cost is incorporated into the interest rate, the borrower doesn't make a separate PMI payment. The process for removing LPMI differs significantly from BPMI. To remove LPMI, the borrower would usually need to refinance the loan, as the PMI cost is embedded in the interest rate.
Lump-Sum PMI
Single-premium mortgage insurance is a lump-sum PMI paid at closing or financed into the loan balance upfront. This structure covers the entire cost of PMI for the life of the loan. Because this cost is a one-time upfront, it is non-refundable. One thing to be aware of is that if you sell or refinance your home, you will not get a refund for the premium you paid. The lack of flexibility that comes with single-premium mortgage insurance should be assessed when looking at your situation.
Removing PMI
Under the Homeowner Protection Act, lenders must automatically cancel PMI when the loan balance reaches 78% of the original home value. You must be current on your mortgage payments to be eligible for the automatic removal. Refinancing into a new loan without PMI may be an option if your home has appreciated and your equity is at least 20%. For individuals who have a second loan (e.g., HELOC or piggyback loan), your ability to remove PMI can be a bit more complex.
We recommend waiting to buy a house until you have saved up the entire 20% downpayment. As we have seen, PMO is a cost to you and only protects the bank, If you are already in a mortgage, work on paying down your principle and removing the PMI as soon as possible.
Help with understanding
Buying a home has a lot of moving pieces and parts. Knowing how ready you are can be tricky, and knowing the best strategy can help save you money. If you are planning to buy a home soon and want to get a clearer understanding of how that will affect your finances, schedule a meeting with one of our Financial Advisors if you have any questions about your financial situation.