Ruggles,In order toensure we could sock away extra rietrement money and to pay off the mortgage back when we had one, we lived with a BAD kitchen for many years.  In the remodel, we did not bump out any walls, although it needs it, because we wanted to keep costs down.  We did go with high-er end appliances, but not top-of-the-line.  We went with granite because it was not that much more expensive, a few thousand, than our other options and we do lots of baking and the stone is nice for rolling-out dough.  The cabinets for the kitchen and pantry were custom, but not the very top of the line.  We could have spent 2-3 times what we did, but we are not inclined to make such purchases.  The thing I found interesting about the project was how the contractor avoided HD over quality issues.  I remember a dozen years ago HD seemed to have staff everywhere and they knew building, now they have some bodies but without much knowledge.  The goods also seem to have declined in quality over that period and my contractor's actions only confirmed that impression.

HomeBanc closed my loan in July 06; a full doc, 30 year prime loan.Oct 07, HomeBanc, now in chapt 7 sold my loan to Chase Home Financial Services, Nov 07 Chase Home Financial Services sold my loan to EMC (Bear Stearns), as of March 08 EMC is now the mtograge servicing arm of J P Morgan Chase. Upon losing my job at the end of June 08 I called an requested a modification package. When I called to inquire about the modification option EMC told me I was denied because I was unemployed.  I called back to request the denial in writing.  The denial was due to the  loan is in a security and the investor does not allow modifications.   So that's where it stood while the house is marketed as a short sale.  The property has been on the market since May 2006. A contract for purchase was submitted to EMC on 12/2. The last call from EMC was to inform me that the house was approved for foreclosure on Dec 1.  A call on 12/11 and a back dated letter postmarked 12/12. EMC cannot find the contract short sale package in fact it was stated to me  they don't have nothin'   This situation is in Palm Beach County, can only hope that Madoff ended up with the MBS Bond ..then it may be truly lost forever.  All the while, EMC tries to be the bad guy.