Don't worry about the mortgage. The utilization that affects your score, and that we all obsess about, is revolving util. So your $300 CL card and the Hooters card will be the only ones counted for util.
Loans and mortgages do get counted for util, but only within their own category, and they have very little impact on your scores. Just be sure to stay timely with the mortgage, plus on the CC's.
Have you pulled your scores from FICO? (Your EQ score should be a FICO.) If you look at your FICO score report, look at screen 2, where they list your negatives and positives, and check out what percentage they list for your "ratio of your revolving balances to your credit limits." It should be low, unless you maxed out your first card (easy to do with a $300 CL card, LOL!)
The big score goose that you can get from your CL's is to have fewer than half (as in =1) card reporting a balance, and that should be under 10% of its credit limit. The other/s should be PIF'd (paid in full.) If you have three cards, that means one reporting, 5 cards mean two reporting, and so forth.
That's a very pretty EQ score, one that I'd like to have! Right now it sound like you have what's called a "thin file," meaning not a whole heck of a lot of credit history. Stick around, and do some research on the good cards, and build up your credit profile. If you don't have any lates on your files, Citi is good, as is Chase, although Chase is pretty abusive to its cardholders. Depending on your EX score, AmEx and Discover ought to be in the picture, too. Bank of America would love you. You should also check out the various credit union options, both local and national.
But for now, I would save up the inqs and do a bunch of research. You might be in an ideal position to pick and choose among cards in a time when all the CCC's are getting a serious case of cold feet.
* Credit is a wonderful servant, but a terrible master. * Who's the boss --you or your credit?
FICO's: EQ 781 - TU 793 - EX 779 (from PSECU) - Done credit hunting; having fun with credit gardening. - EQ 590 on 5/14/2007