Most lenders now offer insured mortgages for both new and resale homes with lower down payment requirements than conventional mortgages – as low as 5%. Low down payment mortgages must be insured to cover potential default of payment, and their carrying costs are therefore higher than a conventional mortgage because they include the insurance premium. With all low down payment insured mortgages, you are responsible for:

  • appraisal and legal fees
  • an application fee for the insurance
  • the payment of the mortgage default insurance premium (although the amount of the premium may be added to the mortgage amount)