What is PMI, and do I have to pay it?

PMI is private mortgage insurance: a monthly fee on a regular loan when you put down less than 20%. It protects the lender, not you, and it can come off later. VA loans have none.

PMI can usually come off once you owe 80% or less of what the home was worth when you bought it, and it comes off on its own at 78%. Paying extra on your loan gets you there sooner.

FHA loans have their own mortgage insurance, paid up front and monthly. With less than 10% down, the monthly part usually lasts as long as the loan.

That is why the down payment and the loan type both change your monthly payment. We show you the whole bill on every home.

See alsoMortgage calculator

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