Hey, all...

So, after hearing all the stories of people getting their determinations (and some their checks to close on their HAP homes), we called HAP re: our application.  If you've been following my story, you'll know we sent in our application the week the president signed the stimulus... Feb. 22 or so. 

At that time, the only thing we were missing were our orders and the sale of our home.  They advised to send eveyrthing in we had to be at the "top of the list" so I scurried to do that.

Anyway, in July, we sold the home, contingent on HAP to close.  I immediately sent HAP the purchase contract and listing agreement for our file. 

In August we received a letter we had to send in a utility bill proving our occupancy in 2006, which we did.  We spoke to someone who pulled up our file and ASSURED us they'd received everything else they needed, including the sale contract, etc.

We just got a notice we were finally given a case number (not implying elligibility or benefits) 2 weeks ago.  So, we called them yesterday to get our status.  Well, not only was the gentelman very rude and unwilling to look up our file without pressing him, but he also said there is NO indication we sold our home in July.  All they have is the listing agreement (again, sent in the SAME envelope at the SAME time as the purchase contract!)  So, he said we have to send that in in order for them to even start to review it!  WHAT?!?  He said at that time it would go to the real estate department and they'd look it over and let us know if they need anything else for our file.  Are you kidding me?!?

At the same time, I'm hearing my realtor has closed and received checks from HAP for a few homes listed AFTER ours, including one that sold just before thanksgiving and has already received funds. 

I am devastated.  Its almost like they're bit by bit rebuilding our application from scratch, even though they have said in the past that its all there.  I have no recourse.  I have certified mail receipts, but of course they don't prove what was IN the envelopes.  So, if they've lost so many papers in our application, which I so quickly sent in nearly a year ago, and are having us constantly re-build it, how long will this take?!?  We are currently loosing $800+ per month that we aren't getting from tenants to cover our mortgage and don't know how loong we can handle that extra cost.

Also, I'm terrified HAP will run out of money before they get to us, even though I have done everything the DAY they ask for it. 

So, today we are faxing them the purchase agreement again (22 pages).  Fingers crossed it gets to them.  I'm so depressed about all of this, especially since so many have already settled on their homes.  I'm happy for them, but feel slighted that our application is getting held up and we appear to be the only ones who aren't even getting a determination on our app!!!!

 

Thanks for listening.  Comments/thoughts/experiences/suggestions welcome. 

anon1,
They are processing applications by date of PCS and not when you turned in your app. So, although my husband and I submitted our application in March, we would be processed before you because his orders were 07/2008 but we don't yet have a purchase agreement so we would actually be after you in that case.

I feel for you having to resubmit time after time all of your application.

Today, we finally lowered the price to 229,000 on our house after having been on the market for a year and a half at 249,000. In January 2006, our house appraised at 295,000. Absolutely disgusting!

We are all in the same boat, waiting on either a buyer or HAP. Lots of luck to you.

Thanks, Angela.

Yes, this whole thing has turned out to be quite the mess with very little "checks and balances". I had initially thought it would go by when you got the application in (per the lady at the Sacramento branch), then read it was based on PCS date (which of course would mean we'd be looked at in the future sometime and that makes sense), but when we asked the man at the Sacramento district office yesterday, he replied, "There is no "order" we're going in. Its just when they come up for review we review them or notify you things are missing and then you go back in the pile." So, that is what really made me mad.

Plus, there are people who PCS'd around the same time we did from our state and my realtor has closed on their home and is awaiting payment within a few weeks from HAP. So, not sure how much truth there is on the "PCS date" thing or if there is more truth to "when it happens to cross our desk".

Anyway, sorry to hear you had to lower your price. On the upside, you should re-coup all that money when you get HAP. Right? We sold for about $160K less than what we bought for, which was the going rate for square footage, etc. back in June... But, I keep thinking THAT isn't necessarily what hurts us right now. What matters at this point is all the money we loose on the mortgage per month cause our tenants only pay about half our mortgage. That is where we're really struggling. And, if you've followed my post on USAA on the boards, they lost our paperwork (I'm seeing a trend here???) 90 days ago to modify so we'd have to reapply and wait another 60 days for a determination. We'd also have to agree to put more money down on the house, which isn't smart considering we MAY get HAP (well, and we don't have "extra" money laying around right now or we wouldn't be asking for a loan mod... lol).

Anyway, I wish you well. I hope you sell your home at the new price. I cannot believe it sat on the market that long! Couldn't you just prove that to HAP and ask for them to pay off your mortgage? I think that's the govt. acquisition part of HAP and you clearly meet the 120 days on the market. Best of luck....

Dear Anon1,

Joe Gladden, VR SAM with a comment and thought.  I believe they did change the rules on this, and sorry you were caught up in it. 

In my 25 years of service in leadership positions, I had to answer many "congressional investigations" on a wide range of subjects from "pay issues" to "displinary issues."    We had a specific time limit on our response to the investigations and I suspect the same is true today.   I would strongly encourage you to write a letter to your home state / district Congressman /woman.  Make it specific and concise, with a timeline of all actions taken to date.  Specifically ask them to respond to you in writing and make sure you add contact info.  Make the "pain" clear and quatifiable. 

Asked someone to proof read the letter.  Follow it up with a phone call.   Every Congressman / woman has staff specifically for such investigations. 

Some folks get concerned that there could be Chain of command repercussions from such a letter.  Since this does not actually impact the military members COC, you may even want to get them to endorse the letter!  

I hope this helps. 

Joe