Do FHA loans require PMI?

Asked by: Giovanna Carroll IV  |  Last update: June 10, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (58 votes)

You are required to pay mortgage insurance on FHA loans, but the mortgage insurance on these loans is called a mortgage insurance premium (MIP), not PMI. The rules for when you need to pay this type of mortgage insurance are different than PMI and how much you pay can be different than PMI, too.

Can you get an FHA loan without PMI?

FHA loans require PMI for the full loan term, regardless of equity position. Your only option to remove PMI is to refinance into a conventional loan once you have 20%+ equity. Reappraisal alone won't remove PMI on an FHA mortgage.

Can I get rid of PMI on my FHA loan?

You cannot get rid of the PMI on an FHA mortgage. The only choice you're going to have is to refinance out of it completely. When you get an FHA mortgage, it's going to retain the PMI for the life of the loan.

When did FHA make PMI permanent?

For FHA loans opened on or after June 3, 2013

Most home buyers with newer FHA loans will have a harder time canceling their annual MIP payments. That's because the FHA made annual MIP permanent for many borrowers starting in 2013.

What is the PMI rate for FHA loans?

Monthly MIP: The Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP) is the FHA's version of PMI, a monthly payment that protects lenders in case of loan default. This ranges from 0.40% to 0.75% depending on your down payment, home price and loan term.

How to Eliminate Mortgage Insurance Premium from FHA Loans?

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Do I have to pay PMI on a FHA loan if I put 20% down?

FHA Loan Mortgage Insurance Requirements

When you refinance with a Conventional loan, you need to pay for PMI if your home equity is less than 20%. FHA loans require you to pay for mortgage insurance when you buy or refinance a home, regardless of the amount of your down payment or home equity.

Do I have to wait 2 years to remove PMI?

Get an Appraisal

Many lenders (like Fannie Mae) also require a two-year “seasoning requirement,” meaning you can't have PMI removed until you've made two years' worth of on-time payments—even if your equity has grown above 20%. If it's been less than five years, you might even be required to have 25% worth of equity.

Does FHA always have MIP?

Upfront mortgage insurance premium (MIP) is required for most of the FHA's Single Family mortgage insurance programs. Lenders must remit upfront MIP within 10 calendar days of the mortgage closing or disbursement date, whichever is later.

Can you pay off PMI upfront?

Single-premium PMI

Depending on the terms of the loan, you can either pay this in full at closing or roll the amount into the loan for a higher balance. If you pay it upfront, you'll get the benefit of lower monthly mortgage payments.

Is removing PMI a good idea?

The Bottom Line: Removing PMI Can Help Ease Your Financial Burden. Mortgage insurance gives many home buyers the option to pay a smaller amount upfront for their downpayment. However, it increases the monthly payment until you're able to remove it.

How to lower FHA mortgage payment?

If you have an FHA-insured mortgage, these options may be available to you. Informal or Formal Forbearance Plan: A Forbearance plan allows a borrower to work with their mortgage servicer to temporarily pause or reduce their monthly mortgage payments and may provide specific terms for repayment.

Is FHA better than conventional?

An FHA loan may be a better option if you have a lower credit score, a higher DTI ratio, or less money saved for a down payment. On the other hand, a conventional loan may work better if your finances are sound and you can qualify for favorable loan terms.

Can I put $20 down on an FHA loan?

If you put 20% down on an FHA loan, you would pay a lower annual mortgage insurance premium. The premium requirement would also stop after 11 years. However, if you have 20% to put down and your credit score is 620 or higher, you may want to pursue a conventional loan instead.

What mortgage does not have PMI?

Mortgages with no PMI

The most common loans with no PMI fee are government-backed loans. FHA loans – Backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), this loan requires as little as 3.5% down and offers other benefits like flexible income and credit requirements as well as lower closing costs.

Can you avoid PMI on an FHA loan?

FHA mortgage loans don't require PMI, but they do require an Up Front Mortgage Insurance Premium and a mortgage insurance premium (MIP) to be paid instead. Depending on the terms and conditions of your home loan, most FHA loans today will require MIP for either 11 years or the lifetime of the mortgage.

Can you refinance an FHA loan?

You can refinance an FHA loan to a conventional loan, but you'll need to meet minimum requirements. If you don't meet the equity minimum for a conventional loan, you'll need to account for continued PMI costs until you've reached at least an 80% loan-to-value ratio (or lower).

How long does PMI stay on an FHA loan?

No, FHA loan PMI removal is technically impossible because PMI is for conventional mortgages only. FHA loans have MIP, which usually lasts 11 years or the life of the loan. To remove MIP, you must refinance into a conventional loan once you have enough equity.

Do you ever get PMI back?

When PMI is canceled, the lender has 45 days to refund applicable premiums. That said, do you get PMI back when you sell your house? It's a reasonable question considering the new borrower is on the hook for mortgage insurance moving forward. Unfortunately for you, the seller, the premiums you paid won't be refunded.

What is 20 percent equity in a home?

This means that from the start of your purchase, you have 20 percent equity in the home's value. The formula to see equity is your home's worth ($200,000) minus your down payment (20 percent of $200,000 which is $40,000). You only own $40,000 of your home.

How can I avoid PMI?

How to Avoid Paying PMI
  1. Make a down payment of 20% or more.
  2. Apply for a VA loan (if eligible). A VA loan however only avoids the monthly mortgage insurance payment. A borrower still has to pay the upfront premium, unless he or she is a disabled veteran.

What is the downside to an FHA loan?

FHA Loan: Cons

Here are some FHA home loan disadvantages: An extra cost – an upfront mortgage insurance premium (MIP) of 2.25% of the loan's value. The MIP must either be paid in cash when you get the loan or rolled into the life of the loan. Home price qualifying maximums are set by FHA.

What is the FHA 75% rule?

FHA Rule 75 states that 75% of the rental income must exceed the monthly mortgage for the property to be self-sufficient. This percentage must be at least enough to cover the mortgage payment, known as PITI (Principal, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance.)

Can I rent out my FHA home after 1 year?

Can I rent out my FHA home after the first year? Yes, after fulfilling the initial one-year occupancy requirement, you can rent out your FHA home. However, if you plan to purchase another property with an FHA loan, you will need to meet specific conditions and justifications for maintaining the original FHA loan.