Five Ways a Mortgage Calculator with PMI Helps First-Time Buyers

August 4th, 2021 by Administrator

Buying a house will most likely be your single most extravagant purchase. And as a first-time buyer, you might be considering your first mortgage. Using a mortgage calculator with private mortgage insurance (PMI) is an excellent way for you to make well-informed decisions regarding your new loan.

Although record-low mortgage rates can help you enter the market, the budgeting and research associated with obtaining a mortgage can be challenging.

What is Private Mortgage Insurance?

In case you default on your loan, the PMI will protect the lender. Your lender will likely need you to have private mortgage insurance if your down payment is less than 20%. With the average down payment for first-time buyers at 7%, you may have to factor PMI into your monthly payments.

Generally, PMI costs between 0.5% and 1% of the actual loan amount per annum. During the underwriting process, the amount gets bundled into your monthly payment by your lender.

By using mortgage calculator for PMI with the help of a real estate broker, you’ll gain a more precise estimate of your monthly payments.

Let’s look at the ways a mortgage calculator with PMI can help first-time homebuyers:

Shows How Down Payments Affect Your Loan

A mortgage calculator will inquire about your estimated down payment amount. By entering various down payment percentages, you can see how your monthly payment is affected according to how much you put down. It will help you determine the down payment amount that best suits your budget and financial goals.

Accounts for Local Taxes and Insurance

Most mortgage calculators ask for your location or ZIP code. It allows them to pull in approximate property taxes and homeowner’s insurance costs for your county. However, some calculators do not consider these extra details, leaving you without a complete picture of your mortgage responsibility.

Helps Understand How Much You Can Afford

With a mortgage calculator with PMI, you can establish your home buying budget. If you’ve begun your home hunting and looking at listing within a particular price range, you’ll know what a monthly mortgage payment might look like at both the high and low end. Having this information is crucial when shopping for a real estate property, as you’ll know what you can afford.

Points Out How Essential Your Interest Rate is

With a mortgage calculator, you can input several interest rates to see how the payment terms change. To understand how much your interest rate affects your monthly bill, keep all other values the same.

Sets You Up for Success

With reliable resources in your hands, you’ll be more confident in your home search process. A mortgage calculator with PMI is one of the best tools to give you the information you require to navigate your mortgage sensibly. Knowing how different inputs affect your payment, combined with the information you’ll get from your lender, will set you up for success in your home buying process.

The Bottom Line

Always try to begin your home search by understanding your full mortgage responsibilities. Acquire as much information as you can from real estate brokers and mortgage lenders in your area so you can make informed decisions.