Let Accurate Value Real Estate Appraisals help you decide if you can eliminate your PMI

A 20% down payment is typically the standard when buying a house. Since the risk for the lender is oftentimes only the difference between the home value and the amount outstanding on the loan, the 20% adds a nice cushion against the expenses of foreclosure, reselling the home, and regular value fluctuationsin the event a borrower doesn't pay.

The market was working with down payments as low as 10, 5 and often 0 percent in the peak of last decade's mortgage boom. How does a lender endure the additional risk of the low down payment? The solution is Private Mortgage Insurance or PMI. PMI guards the lender in the event a borrower defaults on the loan and the worth of the home is less than what the borrower still owes on the loan.

PMI is costly to a borrower on the grounds that the $40-$50 a month per $100,000 borrowed is compiled into the mortgage monthly payment and many times isn't even tax deductible. It's profitable for the lender because they acquire the money, and they get the money if the borrower defaults, unlike a piggyback loan where the lender consumes all the damages.

Does your monthly mortgage payment include PMI? Contact us, you may be able to save money by removing your PMI.

How can homebuyers prevent bearing the expense of PMI?

With the utilization of The Homeowners Protection Act of 1998, on most loans lenders are required to automatically terminate the PMI when the principal balance of the loan equals 78 percent of the beginning loan amount. The law promises that, upon request of the homeowner, the PMI must be abandoned when the principal amount reaches just 80 percent. So, acute home owners can get off the hook a little early.

Because it can take many years to reach the point where the principal is just 20% of the initial loan amount, it's important to know how your home has grown in value. After all, every bit of appreciation you've accomplished over time counts towards dismissing PMI. So what's the reason for paying it after your loan balance has dropped below the 80% mark? Despite the fact that nationwide trends predict declining home values, realize that real estate is local. Your neighborhood might not be following the national trends and/or your home may have secured equity before things simmered down.

A certified, licensed real estate appraiser can help home owners understand just when their home's equity goes over the 20% point, as it's a tough thing to know. As appraisers, it's our job to keep up with the market dynamics of our area. At Accurate Value Real Estate Appraisals, we know when property values have risen or declined. We're masters at recognizing value trends in South Lyon, Oakland County and surrounding areas. When faced with figures from an appraiser, the mortgage company will generally drop the PMI with little trouble. At which time, the home owner can enjoy the savings from that point on.

Want to learn more about PMI and the Homeowners Protection Act? Click this link:
Cancellation of Private Mortgage Insurance: Federal Law May Save You Hundreds of Dollars Each Year