The goal is to first of all prevent buyers from knowing what a realistic price is, and secondly to get buyers to blindly bid against each other. There are four players in this game and three of them are against the buyer -- the seller, the seller's agent, and the buyer's agent. Yes, the buyer's own agent works against the buyer, because there is no commission if there is no sale. There's a saying in Las Vegas: "There's a patsy in every game, and if you don't know who the patsy is, you're it."

If you filed form 5405 for 2009, the IRS started processing at the end of March 2009. You should be able to check the status at:http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96596,00.html?p…

Your realtor and your lender will help you with this. It is my understanding that FHA 203K loans, for example, might be handled one way, the insured conventional another. Your expert helpers will have the details pertinent to your particular property and situations, so rely on them Remember, that costs you nothing and gives you everthing you need to make a great transaction for a fine home happen! Liz, Ascent home loans and Associates Realty, 612-986-4105

Not sure what you mean. You file for it as part of your tax filing. Then, you wait for a refund like you do with any tax refund. Is that what you did? If that's the case, you should be receiving it according to what the IRS says, 4-6 weeks from your filing. So, did you include it as part of your 2008 tax year filing even if you closed in 09? Perhaps you amended your 2008 return. In which case, check with the IRS to see what they are saying as far as receiving refunds as part of an amended return.