PHOTO: LMI can help buyers get into a rising market and even save money if timed correctly.

FOUR out of five first homebuyers in 2017 were unable to stump up a 20 per cent deposit, new research has revealed, meaning many were forced to rely on Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) to purchase a property.

Mortgage Choice’s 2017 First Home Buyer Survey found that 81.8 per cent of young buyers had to borrow in excess of 80 per cent of the purchase price, meaning they would now be paying LMI.

While most borrowers try to avoid LMI, it can actually work in their favour in some cases.

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