Personal Finance

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How to Remove PMI Without Refinancing

Private mortgage insurance, or PMI, is often required when a homebuyer makes a down payment of less than twenty percent. While PMI helps lenders reduce risk, it adds extra cost to your monthly mortgage payment. The good news is that you may be able to remove PMI without refinancing your loan. Understanding the options available can help you save money and accelerate building equity in your home.

Understand When PMI Can Be Removed
Federal law, specifically the Homeowners Protection Act, requires lenders to automatically cancel PMI once your loan balance reaches eighty percent of the original home value. You can also request cancellation when you believe you have reached this threshold through paying down the loan or if your property has appreciated in value.

Request PMI Cancellation Through Your Lender
If you have built equity to at least twenty percent of the home’s original purchase price, you can formally request that your lender remove PMI. To do this, you typically need to submit a written request and may have to prove the home has not declined in value. Your lender may require a home appraisal to confirm current value.

Use Home Appreciation to Your Advantage
If your property value has increased significantly since purchase, you might qualify for PMI removal sooner. A professional appraisal can demonstrate this increase in equity. Keep in mind that lenders generally want to see that you have at least twenty percent equity in the home before canceling PMI.

Make Extra Principal Payments

Consider Loan Recast if Available
Some lenders offer loan recasting, which recalculates your monthly payments based on your current loan balance after a lump sum payment. While recasting does not remove PMI by itself, lowering your principal faster can bring you closer to that twenty percent equity goal.

Stay Informed and Keep Documentation
Keep track of your loan balance, home value, and payment history. Staying informed empowers you to know when you are eligible to request PMI removal. Document all communications with your lender to avoid misunderstandings.

Consult Your Mortgage Professional
Every loan and lender may have different rules regarding PMI removal. Working with your mortgage expert can help you understand your specific loan terms and options. They can guide you through the process and help you make decisions that save you money.

Removing PMI without refinancing is a smart way to reduce your monthly expenses without the cost or hassle of a new loan. By monitoring your equity and staying proactive, you can enjoy greater savings and faster progress toward full homeownership.

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Mortagage Tips

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The Effect of Local Job Markets on Mortgage Lending

When evaluating the housing market, many people focus on home prices and interest rates. However, one critical factor that often goes unnoticed is the strength of the local job market. Employment trends directly affect mortgage lending by influencing both buyer demand and lender confidence.

Why Local Employment Matters
A stable job market means more people have consistent incomes, making them more likely to qualify for home loans. Lenders assess local employment data when determining mortgage risk in a particular area. If job growth is strong, lenders are typically more willing to offer loans, knowing that borrowers are less likely to default. Conversely, areas with high unemployment rates may see more cautious lending practices.

Impact on Homebuyer Confidence
For buyers, job security builds confidence. People are more comfortable purchasing a home when they feel confident in their long-term employment prospects. In regions with expanding industries or new business developments, demand for housing often increases as more workers move to the area and existing residents feel financially secure enough to buy.

Lender Strategies Based on Job Trends
Mortgage lenders monitor local economic indicators closely. If job creation is booming, lenders may introduce more flexible loan programs or ease credit requirements to serve a growing base of potential buyers. In contrast, if layoffs or business closures rise, lenders may tighten lending standards to reduce risk. Your location can directly affect the loan options available to you.

Rural Versus Urban Markets
Urban areas with diverse industries usually offer more stable employment opportunities, supporting steady mortgage lending. In rural areas, where economies may depend on one or two major employers, a single business closure can lead to significant job losses and more restrictive lending. Homebuyers in smaller communities should understand how employment trends impact their local housing market.

The Role of Economic Development
Community development initiatives, such as infrastructure projects, new business openings, or technology hubs, can stimulate job growth and increase homebuyer demand. These developments not only create jobs but also boost property values over time. Buyers and lenders alike benefit from a growing economy, which supports sustainable homeownership.

Consider Your Local Market Before You Buy
When shopping for a home, consider not only the property itself but also the local job market. Employment stability can affect your home’s future value and your long-term financial security. A mortgage professional with local market knowledge can help you evaluate both your financing options and the economic trends that may impact your investment.

If you are curious about how your local job market affects your homebuying plans, connecting with a mortgage expert can help you understand your options.

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Financial Reports

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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 28th, 2025

Very little was released this week due to the major inflation data releases from the previous week. The Leading Economic Index was the most significant—and only—impactful release this week, showing a further decline in overall sentiment about the current economic situation. The majority of the decline was largely driven by expectations for business conditions. The decline was faster than expected, enough to warrant continued monitoring of the Leading Economic Index going forward.

Leading Economic Indicators
The Conference Board Leading Economic Index for the US declined by 0.3% in June 2025 to 98.8, after no change in May (revised upward from -0.1% originally reported). As a result, the LEI fell by 2.8% over the first half of 2025, a substantially faster rate of decline than the -1.3% contraction over the second half of 2024.

Primary Mortgage Market Survey Index

  • 15-Yr FRM rates saw an increase of 0.05% with the current rate at 5.87%
  • 30-Yr FRM rates saw an increase of 0.01% with the current rate at 6.74%

MND Rate Index

  • 30-Yr FHA rates saw no change for this week. Current rates at 6.39%
  • 30-Yr VA rates saw no change for this week. Current rates at 6.40%

Jobless Claims
Initial Claims were reported to be 217,000 compared to the expected claims of 227,000. The prior week was 221,000.

What’s Ahead
Personal Income & Spending and PCE Prices will lead the way for data releases next week. This will be followed by the Nonfarm Payrolls giving a strong indicator of where the economy is headed for the average consumer.

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