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Mortgage Insurance Overview

Mortgage insurance can be a tricky topic in the finance world. Lender paid, borrower paid, up front fees, monthly payments…it all gets a little confusing if you don’t know what questions to ask. In this article, we’ll ask (and answer) those questions for you, as we go through the basics of mortgage insurance so you can better understand why you need it, what fees are associated with it, and which loan type and payment option is best for you.

Do I Need Mortgage Insurance?

In general, borrowers who put less than 20% of the sales price down as payment on a home, or do not have at least 20% equity in the home they are refinancing, are often required by the lender to take out mortgage insurance. This serves as insurance to a lender against a default, since borrowers who put less down (or have less equity) are a higher risk to the lender. Certain government loan programs require mortgage insurance regardless of the down payment.

How Much Does Mortgage Insurance Cost?

This is where it gets a little tricky. Just like with many of the fees associated with a purchase or refinance loan, the amount of mortgage insurance a borrower has to pay varies by both loan program and financial situation:

  • Borrowers who have a higher down payment may pay less mortgage insurance.
  • Borrowers with a better credit score are likely to pay less for mortgage insurance than borrowers with bad credit.
  • Borrowers who qualify for certain loan programs (VA, USDA) will pay less for mortgage insurance.
  • Borrowers who can pay more upfront will likely pay less for mortgage insurance.

What are the Associated Fees & Payment Options

Again, both fees and payment options will vary based on the loan program and your financial situation. Mortgage insurance fees can include an upfront payment, monthly payments, or a combination of the two. By loan program:

 

Step 1. Get Pre-Approved.

How Does Pre-Approval Work?

Getting pre-approved is as easy as 1-2-3!

1. Create an Account

Creating an account is fast, easy, secure and FREE! Your account enables you to easily modify your loan application and view the status of your loan anytime day or night.

2. Submit Information

When you register for a Loan Center account, you can submit a loan application online and the sensitive information that you provide will be transmitted securely.

3. Get Pre-Approved

Kick your feet up while we crunch the numbers. Pre-approval can be done very quickly if you provide a complete and accurate loan application and supporting documentation.


You have questions? We have answers.
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805-543-LOAN

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