It's off and on. Today at the moment we have some sun, earlier we had some light rain. There are forecast for more rain today and tomorrow. Possibly some better weather the end of the week. The tropical depression will affect the outcome I am sure. Pushing up the Gulf moisture.

Ihave been fighting with the mortgage company today trying to get them to authorize our fema insurance check. The check is made out to us and our mortgage company which is the norm. We finally got the fema check, we desperately need the money to pay the workers. The advance check they were able to give me an authorized code to take to the local branch manager and get the check put in our account. However this time they are saying no that we must send them the endorsed check along with a whole list of stuff and once they get it they will release funds to us a little at a time. That's bs. We have workers here that have to be paid or they will go to one of the other jobs around here. They are going to end up completely halting our progress. While he is telling me no he doesn't want to slow down the work. Well it can't be both ways. I was in tears pleading with them. We have a stellar credit rating, we have never been so much as a day late on any payments. We have had several loans with the same company and they know our excellent payment record, paying well in aadvance in most cases.

Itruly don't know what we are going to do. This is our money! We are notrrunning off and deserting the house. I begged him to send out inspectors if they need proof. He finally agreed to have an inspector call me to set up an appointment. This is insane. We had the flood on April 18 we finally got the fema check Friday now how freaking long before they will get around to releasing OUR money to us so we can continue the work. I have to order cabinets and tile etc those take weeks to come I can't just promise them I will get the money to pay for them. It's crazy. Today has been a very bad day. I have tried not to cry and let it get to me but this senseless bs I just can't deal with. Thanks for thinking of us and caring, it really does make a difference!

One day at a time ...

Raven, so sorry to read this. Did I understand that your bank is the one holding things up? If they have the fema check do they have the authority to hold the money? Sorry if I didn't understand and just know my thoughts are with you. It just is too much and I hope things improve for you.

http://theraleighmortgageguy.com/2011/07/why-can-my-mortgage-company-hold-my-insurance-claim-check/

http://www.dob.texas.gov/contact-us

raven you should see the foot high paper work for fil's Medicaid paperwork we have...and now he's gone, who knows when the nursing home will ever get the about 50-60 grand bill from the state...

courage...if you need to scream, shout, come here and yell away...we'll listen...

Yes because we still owe a small balance on our mortgage on the house the fema insurance check has to be jointly made out to my husband and I and our mortgage company. The advance check was exactly the same way. The advance check I called the claims department of the mortgage company, they escalated my call to Tom, who was apparently the person with power. He gave me an authorized commit code to write on the check and I took it to the local branch manager, he looked up the commit code and saw that it was legit and had beenbeen authorized by Tom. They signed off on the check, I drove over to the bank I have my accounts with and deposited it into my account. Simple! I asked Tom while on the phone with him if I would be doing the next bigger check this same way, he said yes just call me back and I will go through this for the next check. So this is what I was expecting. Tom checked my mortgage account he knew I was a trustworthy customer and had a perfect record. So today I called the samesame number and I asked for Tom. Well the girl I got on the phone her name was Latisha, I said can I please speak with Tom he has been handling my case. She said no you can't ask to speak to someone you get who ever gets the call. I said he specifically told me to ask for him. She couldn't help me so she passed me to Chris who I don't even think was with the claims department because he had to look up the fax number and address for the claims department.

We just returned from the mortgage company bank because Chris told me to go there and they would over night the check and paperwork for me to get there faster than the mail. The lady at the branch however said they don't like to do that but she would print out a label for me and give me a UPS envelope and I could go down the street to the package store and mail it from there. Unbelievable! So that is what we did..

Our hands are tied, I don't know what is going to happen. Fema agreed on the amount of damage and sent us a check to repair the damage which we are tryingdesperately to do as quickly as possible. The mortgage company should want the exact same thing. I had to ask Chris how mailing them the check was in any way going to let them know that work was actually being done. I had to suggest that they actually send someone here to see the work being done! My mind has literally been blown today at the level of stupidity we are having to deal with. I just wanted to talk to Tom!

My head explodes reading about your ordeal. I keep checking in to see how things are going for you. I hope for a good resolution.

seagrass

I've not read the above link, but will. However we had a similar situation when storms destroyed our roof and outbuildings and had to be replaced. We got the check from the insurance, deposited it into our bank account where we too have our mortgage and excellent rating, and the bank would only dish out portions of "our" money every so often. WE had to have proof that that amount of work had been completed before we could withdraw that money to pay for the work done. It's just crazy. I sure understand your frustration, Raven. Cry, scream, swear, whatever it takes to release that frustration. (Just don't hit your hubby or the dog. LOL) Come and vent....it helps some. I so hope this whole nightmare ends for you soon.

Raven - Do feel free to use capital letters should you feel the need.

How frustrating for you. It's almost insulting to be treated in such a manner. I hope it soon gets resolved.

How many frustrating turns can this take?

It's thanks to 'the bad guys' that you have to jump through all these hoops. They are intended to prevent fraud. This is probably why you can't talk to the same guy twice, and why intake can only be by mail. An "overabundance of caution" has led to this convoluted mess. It may prevent some 'leakage' at a lower level, but nothing seems to stop the big graft schemes higher up.

So thankful that today is "good" day, sunny with blue skies and singing birds. Praying this continues for you.

Raven I just read this post. I feel so sorry about what you are going through. All I can do is add you to my prayers. Good luck!!

Today is another good day with sunshine and blue skies!

The inspector that the mortgage company said would call me has not been heard from. So I don't think they get the importance of getting the money to us at all. But then they are sitting in their office in Semi Valley and apparently don't care.

Glad you had another day of sunshine. At least something is going right for you. You may have to call and bug them to send that inspector out.

In case you ever need to cite the location when it matters, if you're talking about the valley northwest of Los Angeles, it's Simi Valley. Pronounced as if spelled See-Me

So nice of you to comment on the horrible ordeal my husband and I have been going through, losing every thing we own and facing rebuilding our house as well as our lives, by telling me I misspelled the freaking word Simi which I didn't auto correct did! Jesuss H Christ.

That one really takes the cake! But I am certainly not surprised.

Just let it go, raven, you've had a good day today. Don't let a little comment get you going. I said that to myself over and over again for the past 5 days with my house guest. :)

So sorry you are going through this Raven. I wish there was something we could do to help. Praying everything will get easier in the coming days. Hugs.

Raven,

The vast majority of people reading your thread are here because our hearts go out to you. You are a member of our group and a friend to many. Some of us have sent info and links, some our best wishes and hugs. I know I wish I could do more. Please realize that and don't let a thoughtless comment ruin your day. You matter to us.

I was trying to be helpful not critical.

Thanks believe me that one never would ruin my day. I know all I need to know about that one.

We are still having good weather which is so needed. I took pictures of the progress in the house and the atrium.

Starting to look more like a house.

My stargazer lilies are so huge they are laying on the ground. My satsuma tree has baby satsumas. It looks kinda wild in there because I am not in there daily messing with the plants.

The atrium still looks pretty good to me Raven, I know when the time is right you'll have it back in shape and to your standards again. Sheetrock and mudding going on, those are forward steps. Love seeing the progress on the house, and I'm still looking forward to that kitchen being put back together - I think its going to be amazing. I'm happy enough with my (spacious) kitchen now after the little space that was mine for many years, but it had been remodeled a few years before we bought the house and there are a few things I might have done differently (like a powerful range hood instead of downdraft vented through the floor to outside). I've never planned a kitchen from scratch, let alone planned one under pressure - so kudos to you!

Looking good. Nice to see your progress.

I'm jealous of your atrium. I told dh if we ever build again, I want a sunroom or a place to grow plants indoors.

Today I drove through an area that had flooded. There was a house that looked like they lost all of their possessions. The whole front yard was piled with furniture and whatnot. Another house was like yours and had new construction on the outside midway up the wall. It was one of those roads with no shoulders and deep ditches. The road was higher than the land the house was built on. That was interesting because other people I knew in the area had flooded roads, but the houses were built up higher.

Glad you finally have sunshine. Hope everything works out for you from here on in. I admire your good nature about it all. I would be in a strait jacket by now.

Raven the atrium looks beautiful to me. It's also great to see the work being done....the drywalling, mudding, sanding....the mess and all still means progress. Thanks given for another day of sunshine for you.