Conventional loans with equity or a down payment of less than 20% usually requires private mortgage insurance (PMI). 

However, there are some pretty good alternatives to  PMI.

Alternatives to PMI

Piggyback or 2nd TD Home Loans
Many lenders will allow you to avoid private mortgage insurance (PMI) by combining a first mortgage and a ‘piggyback’ second mortgage. This way you can reduce your monthly payments below a loan with PMI.

Often you can put a down payment of as little as 5 to 10%.

Their are some wonderful benefits to this approach vs PMI. You will have:

• a lower loan payment
• possible tax deductibility of interest. PMI is not deductible.
• possibility of lower interest by keeping your 1st conforming.
  

Self Insured

Other options include getting the lender to build the risk of the loan into the rate of interest. Thus you pay a higher rate but no PMI. Often the payment will be higher going the self insured route but the after tax cost, of the self-insured loan will probably be lower.

Some lenders will even let you reduce the rate when the loan is paid down to 80% loan to value (ltv). 

The only other thing to consider is that you can often times cancel  your PMI once it reaches 80% ltv.

*for tax advice or any advice pertaining to the above subject matter, please seek the advice of a professional.

No-PMI

How to Cancel?

Alternatives to PMI?

PMI Calculator
Are you eligible for PMI cancellation?

Sell your home for less at real estate for sale by owner.

Sample PMI Cancellation Letter