First-time homebuyers ask us all the time: “What is PMI?” PMI stands for private mortgage insurance, which you will have to pay if you put down less than 20% on a home. This added layer of insurance protects the lender’s investment in the property. If you put down 3.5%, for example, that means the lender owns 96.5% of the home, and PMI makes sure they’re covered for that full amount if you can’t repay that debt. Essentially, the more money you can put down, the less your PMI will be on a monthly basis. To hear our full message explaining what PMI is, watch my latest video.