Lender’s Mortgage Insurance is sometimes a misunderstood part of buying your first home. Most people know it shows up when your deposit is under 20%, but not everyone understands what it actually is, why banks charge it, or when paying it can genuinely help you get into the market sooner.

In this episode, Jack Elliott and Chris Bates break down LMI in simple, practical terms. How it works, how much it costs, and how it fits into today’s first home buyer landscape. You’ll learn the four main pathways that can help you reduce or avoid LMI, plus when paying LMI can actually be a smart move if it helps you buy a quality home earlier.

We also talk through real examples, including profession-based waivers, new no-LMI policies, and family guarantor options.

In this episode:

🔑 What LMI actually is and why banks charge it

🔑 How LMI affects your borrowing power and interest rate

🔑 The main ways first home buyers can avoid or reduce LMI

🔑 When paying LMI is actually worth it

🔑 How LMI fits into your long-term strategy as a first home buyer

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction to Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI)

01:59 - What is LMI?

04:57 - Options for FHB’s to Avoid Paying LMI

15:51 - When Paying LMI is Worth it

19:39 - How LMI is Priced

22:05 - Key Takeaways of LMI

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