I have been monitoring my scores since 2007. In 2007 my score was 550. I filed a 13 in 2005 and a 7 in 2003. I started acquiring new credit in 2008. I first got an auto loan and then the Orchard Card. I did gardening with those two TLs for about 3 years. I didn't apply for any new credit until July 2012.
The Auto loan was my ticket to slightly higher scores. Once my score hit 620 after paying the Auto loan on time, I applied for an Orchard Bank card in 2008. Actually, I think my score hit 620 within 3 months of the auto loan being paid on time because both were acquired in early 2008. My score rocketed 60 pts after getting the auto loan. The Orchard approval was not instant approval but was eventually approved with a 300 CL (CL now is 1100). Kept paying on time and then in Aug 2011, my student loans came out of deferment and starting paying those and that helped my score. My score jumped to 690 EX FAKO early this year. I wasn't checking Fico until recently. EX FAKO did hit 699 once and stepped back down as my Util went up some.
This past July, I did a pre approval check for a mortgage that we plan to acquire in Feb, and my highest beacon score was 754, one other one was high 600's, and the other was low 700's. broker said I am good to go once I am 2 years out from 13 discharge, which will be Feb. I was shocked. Shortly after applied for Cap1 rewards card with instant approval in July 2012 with 2000 CL and 500 CLI at 7th statement. Broker told me to apply for card 120 days out from mortgage as he said it would help my score. Ch13 fell off of CR in Oct...woo hoo! Ch7 will fall off Aug 2013...can't wait!
Car broke down last month, and I had to finance another car. Decided to try for my dream car since my scores were so good but I was still paranoid but got approved for a brand new Acura TL with tier 1 lease financing. Auto enhanced TU score was 724 last month.
So I would say it took me 4 years of gardening to get from 550 to low 700's. I tell you, never thought I would see this day!
Cards: Orchard Bank ($1100) | Cap1 Cash Rewards ($2500) | Chase Freedom ($1000) | Best Buy ($2500) | Discover It ($1000) | Barclay Rewards ($2500) | Current scores: EX FAKO: 684, CK TU: 649, FICO EQ: 680, FICO TU: 698, FICO EX: 658 Happy Homeowner Since 2/6/13!
Last App: 4/5/13 Gardening until July 2014