Citi Mortgage Sucks

So I have obviously been EXTREMELY remiss in keeping up with the blog. I sincerely apologize. Jenny and I have been stressing out lately and I haven't gotten around to it. Let's dive in...

So State Farm was by no means rapid in processing our claim and issuing us a check, but they weren't bad either. Unfortunately, for some reason that I still don't understand, Citi thought we had Farmer's insurance and State Farm thought our mortgage was with Nationwide. This led to Citi thinking our insurance policy had been cancelled and State Farm issuing us a check with the wrong mortgage company listed as a payee. It took me about a week to get the correct check. Once I did I was instructed that in order to receive the funds, we would have to endorse the check and mail it to Citi. They would then issue us 1/3 of the funds. After completing 1/3 of the repairs (whatever that means) we should call them back. They will send out an inspector to verify that we have completed 1/3 of the repairs. If he agrees, we will be issued the second third of the check. We then do it all over again. In order to obtain the final 1/3 we need to complete 95% of the repairs (I think), turn in receipts (which I think is absolute bullshit), and then they will release the rest.

Citi Mortgage sucks. I am really considering refinancing as soon as that is a viable option. This is absolutely ridiculous. *Deep Breath* I mailed the check to them on 13 Oct. I used registered mail for obvious reasons. The postcard confirmation I got back said it arrived on the 20th. I called to verify this. "We received your check on the 22nd." Really? I'm pretty sure you didn't. They deposited the check. Now they are waiting for it to clear. I should have a check in my hands by the end of this week. Alright. "Can I go ahead and request my first inspection?" "Absolutely. An inspector will contact you within 5 business days to set up an appointment?" Apparently the inspection process moves as quickly as the processing office. Awesome. Inspector calls me a few days later. "I have an opening next tuesday at 1:30 pm." "Um, do you have anything that isn't in the middle of weekday?" "Well, I live in central, so I try not to schedule appointments across town first thing in the morning." "Try living in the city, dipshit. Oh, and not being so lazy" (I didn't actually say this, but I think he might have gotten the message because he's coming at 8)

I'm sorry to rant about this, but it pisses me off. My house was damaged on 1 September and I haven't gotten a dime to help rebuild. I pay my mortgage on time every month. I am current on my insurance. I don't think that it's too much to ask for these people to get me some aid in less than 2 months!

We have done some work. The trees were removed from our house and eventually from our curb. Our yard (front and back) were pretty damaged by this whole process. On 13 October the framing carpenters arrived. After consultation we decided to remove everything above the walls: every joist, rafter, and sheet of decking. Jenny and I needed a vacation so we went to Gulf Shores for the rest of the week. It was great.

When we came back the framing was essentially done. The had to finish up the soffit and fascia which they did on Monday. Because of the damage done by the tree we had to replace the one (yes one) window in the den. We decided not to go with the same setup. I was able to procure 3 Jeld-Wen Vinyl windows (3' x 5'6") for a VERY good price. They look so much better. That's one nice thing we couldn't have done if it weren't for Gustav. Thanks, I guess.

Work has since come to a grinding halt. We are out of money. (Not in the food stamp way, but in the "I'm not using up all of my liquid assets" kind of way.) I owe people money (which I hate!) For the most part they are being very understanding that I am being hosed by the mortgage company, but I still hate it. The sad part is that most of the first check is going to be to pay off people. We really can't do much until we get the second third. I think that roofing is going to eat up the entire second check, so we won't be able to get much done until we get the third check. We'll see. It could definitely be worse. Two of our friends (a couple that have gotten married since Jenny and I did) are living with his parents, his sister, her 3 kids and a total of 3 dogs. Yikes! I love my family, but I don't think we could do that.

I'll try to post again soon (as work progresses). I sincerely hope that my next post won't be so bitter. I am very excited that I will (probably) get to see my siblings in the coming weekends. Hopefully they can make it the house since they haven't seen it yet! I am disappointed that they will see in this shape, but oh well. Hope everything is going well for everyone else. Keep your chins up!