Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)
Definition of "Private mortgage insurance (PMI)"
The concept behind a Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) is pretty simple: it exists to make sure the lender doesn’t lose its money.
What it does is “buy” the possible defaults of a borrower to a lender. Meaning: if the borrower doesn’t pay the premium, the Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) enters in action and pays it on his/her behalf.
The PMI cost is usually included in the monthly mortgage payment in addition to the principal, homeowner’s insurance, property tax and interest, and just like them, it is a separate thing; it doesn’t build equity to your home.
Why do it?
Well, most of the time you don’t have an option; it is a requirement from the Lender that you get Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) in order to be able to borrow the money. However, it truly can be good for both parties: the lender doesn’t lose money and the borrower can get a house even if he doesn’t have the whole 20% of the home’s value to use as down payment, since lenders sometimes waive the need of it because of the safety provided by the Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI).
Real estate Tips:
One of the greatest insurances in the world is knowledge! Devour our Real Estate Terms and use our Real Estate Agent Directory to contact a local real estate agent when you're ready to go into the market for/with your house!
Popular Insurance Terms
Addition to the homeowners INSURANCE POLICY AND COMMERCIAL PACKAGE POLICY that provides liability and medical coverage for damages resulting from the operation of motor boats too large to ...
Act passed in 1996 that includes: an increase in the amount a nonworking spouse can contribute to an INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT (IRA) increased from $250 to $2000; creation of the ...
Highly visible form of marketing communication with the public with these objectives: (1) encourage agents and brokers to sell insurance company products, (2) predispose customers to be ...
Policy that has an initial premium with flexible premiums thereafter. Within limits, a policy owner can select both the future amount and frequency of premiums, or can stop and start ...
Action by insurance companies and agents to voluntarily refrain from business conduct that is misleading, fraudulent, and in general would have adverse consequences for the purchaser of the ...
Workers' premiums in a contributory employee benefit plan. ...
Coverage in the event of property damage or destruction resulting from wrongful installation of equipment. ...
Insurance company whose corporate charter and bylaws prevent assessment of its policyowners, regardless of how adverse its loss and expense experience may become. ...
Risk distribution included by type of coverage, by kind of risk, and by geographical location. ...
Have a question or comment?
We're here to help.