WORDS I LIKE — Clarity costs less than denial.
🔍 The Big Idea
Most buyers try to avoid PMI at all costs.
But avoiding PMI often costs more than paying it.
📝 What’s Happening
PMI (private mortgage insurance) is a monthly fee you pay when you put less than 20% down.
Most people treat it like a financial penalty.
So they wait. They save longer. They drain retirement accounts. Or they stretch to hit 20%.
But here’s the quiet truth:
Home prices and interest rates don’t pause while you save.
PMI is temporary. Missed appreciation isn’t.
💡 Why It Matters
• Buyers may overpay later just to avoid a small monthly fee
• Waiting can mean higher prices or higher rates
• PMI often drops off once you build enough equity
• Keeping cash instead of forcing 20% down protects flexibility
📌 This Week’s Takeaway
👉 Optimize for long-term position — not short-term optics.
☎️ Want Clarity On Your Numbers?
Get Mortgage Clarity — One Focused Call
A simple, no-pressure 30-minute conversation about your numbers and your next smart step.
👉 https://zcal.co/neilchristiansen/focusedcall
📍 Mile High Housing Brief
I’ve started sharing a short snapshot of what’s happening in the Denver housing market — inventory trends, pricing shifts, and what they may mean for buyers and homeowners.
Here’s what the latest signal looks like in Denver:
PS
If you want to see a “PMI vs. 20% down” comparison using your numbers, reply “compare.”
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— Neil Christiansen, Certified Mortgage Advisor
