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
Injury that continues after a wound from physical or psychic entry. (The latter is a wound that makes a lasting impression on the mind, especially upon the subconscious mind; for example, a ...
Obligatory reinsurance contract in which a reinsurer agrees to pay for all or a large portion of losses up to a limit, when these losses exceed the retention level of the cedent. The ...
Coverage in which one premium payment is made and the policy is fully paid up with no further premiums required. ...
Form of state rating law that requires prior approval of property and casualty insurance premiums by the state insurance department for certain changes. Here, a state generally allows new ...
Actuarial evaluation of the assets of a pension plan according to the fair market value of the assets. ...
Section describing coverages under a policy. Elsewhere in the policy other sections may restrict or exclude coverages. ...
One of two bureaus that writes forms and files standard rates for inland marine insurance. The other is the inland marine insurance bureau. ...
Point in time when a term life insurance policy terminates its coverage. ...
Trust in which the trustee distributes capital and income to the beneficiaries of the trust according to their economic needs. ...
Have a question or comment?
We're here to help.