How do I remove PMI without 20%?

Asked by: Otis McCullough III  |  Last update: September 7, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (61 votes)

You can avoid paying PMI by providing a down payment of more than 20% when you take out a mortgage. Mortgages with down payments of less than 20% will require PMI until you build up a loan-to-value ratio of at least 80%. You can also avoid paying PMI by using two mortgages, or a piggyback second mortgage.

How to get rid of PMI without 20 percent?

Do the pmi...you can have it removed once you reach 80% equity OR do the pmi and if there is enough equity in 6 months many lenders will use that and roll you into a conventional refi with no extra funds out of pocket.

Can PMI be removed if house value increases?

Remember: You might be able to eliminate PMI when your home value rises or when you refinance the mortgage with at least 20 percent equity. But the onus is on you to request it.

How can I get my PMI taken off early?

To remove private mortgage insurance, you must have at least 20% equity in the home. When you have paid down the mortgage balance to 80% of the home's original appraised value, you may ask the lender to cancel private mortgage insurance. When the balance drops to 78%, the lender must cancel PMI.

Why is it so hard to get PMI removed?

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.

How To Avoid Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) Without 20% Down

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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.

What if a bank refuses to remove PMI?

A lender can refuse to terminate PMI in some situations. A lender legally must remove PMI when you reach 78% equity, but only if you're current on your loan payments.

How long does it usually take to drop PMI?

If the borrower is current on mortgage payments, PMI must be cancelled automatically once the LTV reaches 78 percent based on the original amortization schedule or when the midpoint of the amortization period is reached (i.e., 15 years on a 30-year mortgage).

How do I ask my lender to remove PMI?

Ask to cancel your PMI: If your loan has met certain conditions and your loan to original value (LTOV) ratio falls below 80%, you may submit a written request to have your mortgage servicer cancel your PMI.

Can I get an appraisal to remove PMI?

Using a new appraisal to remove PMI involves an appraisal of your home's current value to prove that the LTV ratio has decreased due to an increase in your home's original value. Refinancing is another option, allowing you to secure a lower rate or switch from an FHA loan to a conventional mortgage.

Can tax assessment be used to remove PMI?

No. Your loan docs will outline the terms of your PMI, but you can never cancel it based on the tax assessment. Usually the lender will either require a new appraisal or you would need to refinance.

How to calculate PMI removal?

Just multiply your original home purchase price by 0.80 for an estimate of when you'll be rid of PMI payments. If you purchased a $300,000 home, for example, you can cancel your PMI when the principal balance reaches $240,000.

Do I have 20% equity in my home?

Determining equity is simple. Take your home's value, and then subtract all amounts that are owed on that property. The difference is the amount of equity you have.

Can I get rid of PMI 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.

What is a piggyback mortgage?

A “piggyback” second mortgage is a home equity loan or home equity line of credit (HELOC) that is made at the same time as your main mortgage. Its purpose is to allow borrowers with low down payment savings to borrow additional money in order to qualify for a main mortgage without paying for private mortgage insurance.

Is PMI tax deductible?

Is mortgage insurance tax-deductible? No, private mortgage insurance isn't tax-deductible now. The mortgage insurance deduction was only available for eligible homeowners for the 2018–2021 tax years.

Can I remove PMI without refinancing?

You can remove PMI from your monthly payment once you have 20% equity in your home. You can do this either by requesting its cancellation or refinancing the loan.

How do I write a letter to remove PMI?

To begin filling out a PMI cancellation letter, you must first provide the lender with your name, address, loan number, and contact information. Then, explain the reason for your request for PMI cancellation. Depending on the lender, you may also be asked to provide documentation to support your request.

How do I know if I'm eligible to remove PMI on my mortgage?

Your home equity needs to be at least 20%, or you will need to pay for PMI. The good news is that you can request that your lender remove PMI once the principal balance of your loan reaches 80% of the original value of the property. To request removal, you will need to submit a request, in writing, to your lender.

At what percentage will PMI automatically terminate?

Even if you don't ask your servicer to cancel PMI, in general, your servicer must automatically terminate PMI on the date when your principal balance is scheduled to reach 78 percent of the original value of your home. For your PMI to be cancelled on that date, you need to be current on your payments.

What is considered substantial improvement for PMI removal?

Improvements are most likely to be considered substantial if they cost or add value in an amount equal to the balance you have left to pay down on your loan to reach 80% of your property's Original Value.

What is the PMI cancellation act?

The Act, also known as the “PMI Cancellation Act,” addresses homeowners' difficulties in canceling private mortgage insurance (PMI)1 coverage. It establishes provisions for canceling and terminat- ing PMI, establishes disclosure and notification requirements, and requires the return of unearned premiums.

Can you get PMI refunded?

If the mortgage insurance was financed at the time of origination and is canceled prior to its maturity you may be entitled to a refund if the refundable option was chosen at the time of origination. However, if there was no refund/limited option, this would negate any option for a refund.

Does PMI go away if home value increases?

Most people stop paying PMI when they've gained enough equity in their homes after paying down the mortgage for a number of years. You can also cancel PMI if your home value increases earlier than you would have been able to, but you'll need to get an official appraisal showing what your home is worth.

How long do you pay mortgage insurance on an FHA loan?

If you meet the eligibility requirements to remove MIP from an FHA loan, your mortgage servicer should automatically cancel the premiums once you meet the criteria (a 78 percent LTV ratio or 11 years, depending on the loan). That's assuming you're in good standing with a record of on-time mortgage payments.