Confused about Credit Scores

[gettingthere2013]

Hello all, just want to begin by saying I love these message boards.  The information on here has me so inspired to do better with how I value credit.  

Any way my question is pretty simple for most to answer but I'm struggling.  I am getting ready to close on my first house in the next few weeks and the last credit score I received was EX 645 EQ 639 TU 631 all up from this time last year when they were (in the same order) 611,620,561.  A little quick history, I had all kinds of baddies on my report and a lot of it due to poor choices.  I had a judgment on my report that was placed on there because I rented a car for a friend back in 06 that he totaled and never took responsibility for so it fell on my shoulders, but it fell off 01/01/13.  I had a bunch of CO that I have paid or settled, but I have a reposition that is still on my report due to a bad breakup and her refusal to pay the account.  Again these are all things that I could have avoided had I used better judgment.   Oh and yes I have several inquires but 95% of them are for the same thing, searching for mortgages and getting a new car.  My first question is that I go to some of the FAKO sites and pull my score and it is WAY lower than what the mortgage company comes back with, is that good or bad?  Second question is my credit history over the last few years has been spotless as far as new credit lines and paying on time.  I just opened a new Cap1 back in January that has a $500 CL but I try to keep the balance below $100.  I have been getting mailings from Discover for the IT card and I really would like to have another card or two.  Do you think I would get approved for that and possibly a Best Buy Card?  Also what other cards would you suggest?  My score by the time I close should be even higher than what it is now, and I don’t plan on doing any of this until the day after my loan is funded.  My salary is roughly $72k.  Suggestions please……….Thanks in advance.

Score pulled from future Mortgage Lender (May 12, 2013)

EX 645

EQ 639 (Bam just checked my score May 29, 2013 on this site and it is now 667)

TU 631

Goal Score 750 across the board 

[llecs]

Welcome!

For the baddies, visit the Rebuilding Your Credit board for help on those. Your FICO won't move too much with those on, but post over there if you need help in cleaning that up.

FAKO and FICO comparison, don't compare. FAKOs are only important if your lender uses them (and they don't).

You've come to the right spot on the CC suggestions. If I was in your situation, I'd focus on repair first and nix a card for now. Your score won't more too much between now and closing. Also the mortgage could temporarily ding your FICO a tad too. Because the mortgage will be new and the CapOne new, I vote to wait a few months, use that time to repair (do so after you close; not before) and then try again. For the second I would aim for a store card or try with a CU provided they aren't too strict on approvals.

[gettingthere2013]

Thanks for the quick response llecs.

 The baddies with exception of the repossession are taken care of and that will be paid off hopefully by September.   I was just hoping that with proven payment history over the last few years that I could apply for a couple of Prime Cards and if declined swoop in with a recon.  I think I can get approved for a Best Buy card, but I don’t want it if it is less than a $2500 because anything less wouldn’t serve my purpose. 

Do you think that I should apply in store for store cards or online?

[NewtoCredit80]

Try to increase your credit limit on your CapOne card after the 6th statement.

CapOne EO has been generous in CLI.

You should keep your util below 10% on the CapOne card for best scores.

Best of luck in your rebuilding efforts.