I just wanted to tell you that… sure enough… they are falsely dating my documents again. I sent our tax return via Express Mail with delivery confirmation and signature required. My delivery confirmation shows it was delivered and signed by the IRS on 4/7/2010. I just got off the phone with them and they are trying to tell me that it was delivered 4/28/10. That is a whole THREE weeks later!!! Of course, the lady I spoke with wasn’t helpful at all. She just kept telling me there is nothing I can do about it. BS!!! She then told me to write a complaint to the office that received my return.

This is ridiculous. That is the IRS for you, trying to be sneaky and buy themselves more time to delay. For anyone who doesn’t know, these dates are very important if you want anything done in a timely manner.  The IRS employees have time frames to abide by.  I am being told I have to wait 8 weeks from the date they “received” it for them to process it.  So they conveniently tack on an extra 3 weeks saying my return didn’t arrive when it really did.

So, here we go.  Yet another reason why you have to stay on top of the IRS at all times.  And had I not called and questioned them repeatedly about my refund status, I never would have known they put the wrong delivery date in.  Don’t trust the IRS people!!

We got our estimates for our contractors that will be installing a new water heater and carpet.  We are now waiting on our bank to get a second appraisal that will give them the “improved” value.  Once that is done, then we can apply for our first time buyer grant money with the Columbus Housing Partnership.  Then we just have to wait for that to come through and hope it shows up before our closing date at the end of February.  Otherwise, we have to pay HUD a $25 per diem.  That is really annoying.

I want to say that not all banks are created equal.  Definitely do your shopping around and be thorough about it.  We have gone through 4 banks in the process.  Their costs were all different and the way their procedures vary as well.  Also make sure that they have experience with the grant program you plan to use.  I had banks telling me totally different things and practically calling each other liars.  It’s been insane.  Also, be prepared for the numbers they give you in the beginning to change a lot.

In the end, I chose a bank that was a small amount more expensive just because their customer service blew the other banks away.  My mortgage banker with Union Savings has been absolutely fantastic.  He has gone above and beyond.  He made himself available late at night, on the weekends, and was always super fast at getting back with me.  Let me tell you from personal experience, customer service is VERY important.  The other bankers didn’t seem like it was very important to them.  Like they didn’t care if they got our business or not.  You get what you pay for I guess.

More updates soon!