For many, owning a home goes from being a dream to reality through the use of a mortgage loan. To qualify for a mortgage loan, many lenders require their borrower’s to already have a down payment of at least 20 percent.
If the homebuyer has less than a 20 percent down payment available, many lenders will require the homebuyer to pay for private mortgage insurance (PMI). PMI protects their loan investment in the case a borrower defaults on the loan and usually ends once the buyer reaches around 80 percent left of the home value.
There are multiple ways to cancel PMI payments faster than paying your usually monthly mortgage payment. One way is by increasing your monthly mortgage payment so you can reach the 20 percent value mark quicker.
If the current value of your home has increased since you closed on the property, this may be grounds for your PMI payments to be dropped.
Once you reach 20 percent equity in your home you can request PMI cancellation. Even though this goal can be met with regular, on-time payments - with the growing real estate market, many homes have increased in value. This value increase can help you reach or exceed the 20 percent equity benchmark faster.
For example, if you purchased a home for $400,000 and put $60,000 down (a 15 percent down payment), you’d have to pay for PMI. However, you find out through research that your home is now worth $440,000, you now have $100,000 of equity in your home. This amount is over the 20 percent mark, giving you grounds for PMI cancellation.
By doing your research and contacting your mortgage servicer to explore options, you can eliminate monthly payments to PMI insurance and save money.
Meet Kimberly Jokela:
With a genuine passion in people Kimberly loves helping her clients make their real estate dreams or needs come to life! Specializing in Luxury, Vacation, Retirement or Investment properties.
Born and raised in the midwest in a family with a strong work ethic, filled with creativity & dedication.
Her determination lead her to attend college at the "Philadelphia Performing Arts" where she had the opportunity to follow her passion in the Arts & to travel. Living in California with her husband Rick for 15 years together they built a successful business. After the birth of her beautiful daughter Brittany, seeking a "small town” coastal lifestyle, they took a trip to Naples Florida & fell in love with all it has to offer and made the jump!
With now over 17 years experience as a licensed Realtor serving Naples, Bonita Springs, Marco Island, Estero & Fort Myers.
A great listener, negotiator & connector, Kimberly is dedicated to helping her clients looking to BUY their ideal Florida property!
Her warm & friendly personality is present in everything she does on her clients behalf!
Kimberly’s creativity & "out of the box" thinking gives her clients the extra leverage they need when SELLING a property.
Her well organized marketing includes professionally produced photography, video, drone imagery, media presentation in print, numerous online websites & social media!