What is LMI and when is it worth paying?
Lenders Mortgage Insurance explained in plain English.
Short answer
LMI protects the lender, not you, when you borrow more than 80% of a property’s value. It is usually added to your loan.
When paying LMI makes sense
If prices in your target area are rising faster than you can save, paying LMI to buy sooner can come out ahead. We run the numbers both ways.
Ways to avoid it
- Home Guarantee Scheme for eligible buyers
- Family guarantee
- LMI waivers for certain professions