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
Policy in which a premium (the deposit) is paid in the first policy year, in addition to the regular term insurance premiums required. The deposit is left to accumulate at interest for a ...
Cash carried forward from the previous year, plus gains from operations for the current year, plus any capital gains. ...
Specific time at which the insurance policy coverage begins and ends. ...
Coverage for equipment normally carried from location to location by a physician or surgeon; written on an all risks basis to include supplies and scientific books used in medical practice. ...
Same as term: Free Examination "free Look" Period: right, in most states, of an insured to have 10 days in which to examine an insurance policy, and if not satisfied, to return it to the ...
Modification of the charitable remainder uni-trust through which the beneficiaries receive a specified percentage of the assets' value in the trust usually paid out on a quarterly basis. If ...
Monetary fund established to pay for claims that the insurance company is aware of (claims incurred or future claims) but that the insurance company has not yet settled. This reserve is ...
Circumstance in which an insurance company can issue life or health insurance to an applicant based on standards set by the company. ...
interconnection of computers that contain pages classified into groups called web sites that can be accessed over the internet. The only requirement for visiting a web site is to have ...
Have a question or comment?
We're here to help.