MAP has had a few clients lately who have applied directly to their lender or through another mortgage broker and been advised that the bank would happily lend to them however their lenders mortgage insurer would not due to their temporary residency or expat status. The result of this is that the home loan application will be declined as the bank will not, without Lenders Mortgage Insurance, agree to approve the mortgage. This article outlines what lenders mortgage insurance is and how to avoid such a situation. What is LMI? LMI is insurance that protects the bank when a borrower does not have a full 20% deposit. Essentially, it covers the bank should the borrower fail to pay the mortgage and the bank makes a loss on sale. LMI is, as a rule, only applied to home loans with an LVR of greater than 80%. It is insurance that protects the bank, not the borrower. LMI is just like car… Read More