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
In life insurance, action by an insurance company canceling premium payments by an insured who has been disabled for at least six months. The policy remains in force and continues to build ...
Portion of reinsurance premium received by the reinsurer that relates to the unexpired part of the reinsured policy. ...
Form of state rating legislation that allows each property/liability insurer to choose between using rates set by a bureau or its own rates. Individual states regulate insurers and approve ...
Will written totally in the handwriting of that individual whose name appears on the will. ...
Provision that excludes from coverage under Form No. 3: flood damage, except if the flood causes a fire, explosion, or theft; water damage from the backup of sewers; earthquake, except if ...
Same as term: engineering approach; human approach ...
In some life insurance policies, provision that permits the beneficiary, upon the death of the insured, to receive not only the death benefit payable under the policy but also all premiums ...
Mortality table that is a picture of the actual living and/or dying of the population (the universe) upon which the mortality table is based. No additions or subtractions are made to these ...
Expense listed on the Income and Expenditure accounting statement for the unexpired insurance policy owned. ...
Have a question or comment?
We're here to help.