What does the Homeowners Insurance Protection Act of 1998 require lenders to do when a homeowner's equity exceeds 22%?

The Homeowners Insurance Protection Act of 1998 mandates that lenders must automatically cancel private mortgage insurance (PMI) on a homeowner's loan when the homeowner's equity in the property reaches 22% or more of the original value of the home. This legislation was introduced to protect borrowers from the ongoing cost of PMI, which is typically required when a down payment is under 20%.

Once equity exceeds the 22% threshold, the risk to the lender decreases significantly since the loan-to-value ratio becomes more favorable. Consequently, the requirement to maintain PMI can be lifted, resulting in lower monthly payments for the homeowner. This law encourages homeowners to build equity in their homes and provides relief from unnecessary insurance costs once they have reached a certain level of investment in their property.

The other options—lowering the interest rate, increasing the loan amount, or adjusting closing costs—do not align with the focus of the act, which is specifically about the cancellation of mortgage insurance when sufficient equity has been achieved.