Q: What is a mortgage insurance premium (MIP)?

  • Mortgage insurance protects the lender from losses of a mortgage defaults.
  • A mortgage insurance premium (MIP) is the insurance for an FHA or conventional loan. A percentage of the loan amount is due at closing.
  • There may also be a monthly premium depending on the loan-to-value ratio.
  • On a conventional loan, the borrower may choose to pay a mortgage insurance premium at closing or pay a portion of the premium throughout the life of the loan.
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