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
Contract providing a monthly income benefit to members of a group of employees. A group annuity has the same characteristics as an individual annuity, except that it is underwritten on a ...
SCHEDULE provision of the new York insurance code and regulations under which the life insurance company must file with the Insurance Commissioner all expenses associated with selling new ...
The term pro rata comes from Latin and translates to in proportion, proportionally, the proportion of, proportionately determined, or according to a specific rate. It is often used in legal ...
Separate legal entity formed by one or more physicians and one or more hospitals whose objective it is to negotiate contracts with payer organizations. The PHO provides financial, ...
Method of reducing an employee pension according to IRS procedures: Offset method restricted to a DEFINED BENEFIT PLAN under which a mandatory percentage of the monthly Social Security ...
Combination of contributions of many investors whose money is used to buy stocks, bonds, commodities, options, and/or money market funds, or precious metals such as gold, or foreign ...
Insurance company whose domicile is in a state other than the one in which the company is writing business. ...
Statement showing assets and liabilities of an individual. ...
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 ...
Have a question or comment?
We're here to help.