Is it possible to avoid PMI?

Asked by: Prof. Mattie Rutherford II  |  Last update: November 27, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (17 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.

Can you avoid paying PMI?

One way to avoid paying PMI is to make a down payment that is equal to at least one-fifth of the purchase price of the home; in mortgage-speak, that means the mortgage's loan-to-value (LTV) ratio is 80%. If your new home costs $180,000, for example, you would need to put down at least $36,000 to avoid paying PMI.

Is it worth putting 20% down to avoid PMI?

Mortgage Broker here. 20% gets you out of PMI. PMI payment is based largely on credit score and down payment, so if you have low-ish credit, then you definitely made the right call. Putting a big down payment versus not is totally a preference of having more liquidity versus a lower payment.

How to get PMI waived?

You can avoid PMI by putting 20% down. If you have PMI then once you have paid down a certain % of the principal on the loan the PMI will be eligible to be removed; or it will be removed automatically about a year after that projected date. It's usually 27% or 28% of the principal.

How can I put 10% down and not pay PMI?

Put 10% Down with No PMI by Using a Piggyback Loan

The other 10% required to make up a 20% down payment comes from a second loan, worth 10% of the home's value. That second loan “piggybacks” on the mortgage. It's completely separate which means it will have its own terms and interest rate.

Why You Really Don't Want to Pay PMI

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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.

Why is my PMI so high?

The higher your LTV ratio, the higher your PMI payment. Your loan type: Because adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) carry a higher risk for lenders, your PMI might be more expensive with an ARM than with a fixed-rate loan. Your down payment amount: The closer your down payment is to 20 percent, the less your PMI.

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.

Can PMI be written off?

At the time of writing, the PMI deduction is not available. If you qualify for past years, you may still be able to deduct PMI. However, the best strategy for eliminating PMI is to pay down your mortgage and request PMI cancellation once you reach 20% equity in your home. Internal Revenue Service.

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.

Can you negotiate out of PMI?

Yes, PMI is removed once your loan balance drops to 78% of your home's original value. You can also proactively request to cancel PMI payments when you reach an 80% loan-to-value ratio. How to avoid PMI with a jumbo loan? Jumbo loans, which exceed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loan limits, don't always require PMI.

What is 20 percent down on a $300,000 house?

The amount you will need depends on the type of loan you choose. A typical 20 percent down payment on a $300,000 purchase would be $60,000. The National Association of Realtors estimates the median down payment percentage in America to be 14 percent, and that would be $42,000.

What is the 20% rule for PMI?

Private mortgage insurance (PMI) is a type of mortgage insurance you might be required to buy if you take out a conventional loan with a down payment of less than 20 percent of the purchase price. PMI protects the lender—not you—if you stop making payments on your loan.

Can you refuse PMI?

You can remove PMI, or private mortgage insurance, from your mortgage after you have established enough equity in your home. You will need at least 20% in equity. At that point, you can request to have it removed or wait for it to automatically drop off when you have 22% in equity.

Is PMI mandatory?

The influence of down payment amount — PMI is only required for homebuyers who make down payments of less than 20% of the home's value.

Can PMI be removed from an FHA loan?

“After sufficient equity has built up on your property, refinancing from an FHA or conventional loan to a new conventional loan would eliminate MIP or PMI payments. This is possible as long as your LTV ratio is at 80% or less.”

How do you knock off PMI?

A borrower can request PMI be canceled when they've amassed 20 percent equity in the home and lived in it for several years. There are other ways to get rid of PMI ahead of schedule: refinancing, getting the home re-appraised (to see if it's increased in value), and paying down your principal faster.

Can I ask my bank to remove PMI?

Request PMI removal: You can request the cancellation of PMI once your LTV ratio reaches 80% of the property's original value or lower. You may have to submit a formal request to your loan provider, along with documentation such as proof of home value and a solid payment history.

Is PMI tax deductible on rental?

While private mortgage insurance (PMI) can't be deducted for a personal residence, it is deductible for an investment property. That's because, with rental properties, mortgage insurance is treated as an ordinary and necessary business expense.

Does your mortgage go down when PMI is removed?

Ending PMI reduces your monthly costs. Some lenders and servicers may allow removal of PMI under their own standards. The information below describes the legal requirements that apply to mortgages for single-family principal residences that closed on or after July 29, 1999.

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.

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.

Do you have to put 20 down to avoid PMI?

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 much is PMI on a $300,000 loan?

Your mortgage lender will determine the PMI rate and multiply the percentage by the loan balance. For example, if the PMI rate is 0.5% and your loan amount is $300,000, your PMI will cost $1,500 annually or $125 monthly.

Can PMI be removed if house value increases?

As you build equity in your home, you may be able to cancel your PMI so you can save money each month. If you have a conventional loan and own 20% equity in your home, contact your lender to see if they can cancel your mortgage insurance.