<prompt> Human: If the PMI charge now is going to be the similar -wise or potentially less than the increase in mortgage rates in the next few years, is it such a bad idea to buy a house in the near future without the 20 down payment. I would imagine the house value will be cheaper now too.  <response>: It might depend how much PMI is. In my case, my mortgage payment principle, interest, taxes, insurance, etc. including PMI is 400 less each month than rent was. PMI itself is 160 of that. I put 5 down, and I dont really see how Im coming out behind due to the PMI compared to continuing to rent and try to save up to 20. Sure, when PMI is knocked off which Im working on doing early--4 years after purchase, my monthly payment will go down by 160, but ok so Ill go from saving 400mo to saving 560mo. Either way, Im saving each month compared to renting. 