In which scenario is mortgage insurance typically required?

Mortgage insurance is typically required when a borrower makes a down payment of less than 20% of the home's purchase price. This is primarily to protect the lender in case the borrower defaults on the loan. The rationale behind this requirement is that lower down payments indicate a higher risk for the lender, as the borrower has less equity in the property.

In scenarios where the down payment is at least 20%, lenders generally consider the investment to be more secure, as the borrower has a significant equity stake in the property, reducing the risk of loss for the lender in the event of a default. Therefore, any down payment of less than 20% usually triggers the need for mortgage insurance, ensuring that the lender has some level of protection against potential default.