@Anonymous wrote:I am relatively new to credit, I got 2 cards last year in june to start building credit (secured cc's) I was thinking of getting a third to satisfy most lenders 3 traditional tradelines aged 12mos + requirements. I have another secured card I can get that would not require a credit check, but I am not so concerned about the inquiry effecting my credit as the avg account age considerations. Is this a valid concern, will getting one more card with my only credit history being the 2 cards I have now being so new have a negative impact. I know length of credit history is like 15% of fico, and new credit is like 10% of fico scoring, and the current cards would be like 13-14 months old when I apply, and if I get the new one it would be like 6 months old when I went to apply. That would make avg account age 11.333 months instead of 14 months, how much you guys think that would ding me if I get this next one.
The reason why I am hesitant, Is I want to apply for a home this year, and my score is right below 620(It will be 620 soon with no new negative activity but barely, but when I apply If I can't get approved, I would like to have the 3 lines open for trying again next year and If I dont get the new card now I will be stuck waiting for the potential new one to age for like an extra 7 months+ longer than if I just get it now. ( I read in the mortgage section some lenders are going away from allowing non-traditional tradelines to offset thin files so I want to be prepared if thats the case as soon as possible, but I dont want to get stuck right below 620 if opening this 3rd card is going to do it.
thoughts; insights anyone?
First, avoid BoA for now when it comes to any of what you mentioned above.
Second, research the daylights out of anything you're thinking of applying for before doing so. MyFico should be your library before applying for anything frankly. Use it, you'll be glad you did 
I have to ask because it's your best bet in a way, have you looked into joining NFCU (Navy Federal Credit Union)? If not, you might want to, it might open up some options for you.
How soon will you be applying? If it's within the next six months I wouldn't add another card as the new account will drag your score a bit. If it's outside of six months it wouldn't hurt much but your still not going to hit that 12 month mark.
What might help in your situation is a secured loan. They issue a cd, and you pay installments, when all is said and done you get 12 months of installment history and a 1,000 cd. That's the route I took when I was rebuilding. Opened the secured loan in sept 07 and I closed on an FHA loan for a house on April 08. Might be hard to find a bank that still does them, but you'll get a boost from the installment loan since it is counted as a higher quality of credit than a credit card or store card.
FICO 9: 
Filed Chapter 13 on 6/1/2017 after job loss. Discharged 6/1/2022.
Goal: Gardening!
Filed Chapter 13 on 6/1/2017 after job loss. Discharged 6/1/2022.
Goal: Gardening!
@webhopper wrote:
What might help in your situation is a secured loan. They issue a cd, and you pay installments, when all is said and done you get 12 months of installment history and a 1,000 cd. That's the route I took when I was rebuilding. Opened the secured loan in sept 07 and I closed on an FHA loan for a house on April 08. Might be hard to find a bank that still does them, but you'll get a boost from the installment loan since it is counted as a higher quality of credit than a credit card or store card.
DCU still does it, and I think several other credit unions do as well. I'm not certain on national banks at all though. I would second Webhoppers suggestion as well.
@Anonymous wrote:I am relatively new to credit, I got 2 cards last year in june to start building credit (secured cc's) I was thinking of getting a third to satisfy most lenders 3 traditional tradelines aged 12mos + requirements. I have another secured card I can get that would not require a credit check, but I am not so concerned about the inquiry effecting my credit as the avg account age considerations. Is this a valid concern, will getting one more card with my only credit history being the 2 cards I have now being so new have a negative impact. I know length of credit history is like 15% of fico, and new credit is like 10% of fico scoring, and the current cards would be like 13-14 months old when I apply, and if I get the new one it would be like 6 months old when I went to apply. That would make avg account age 11.333 months instead of 14 months, but then again under payment history the whole broad category is 35% one of the attributing factors is # of accounts showing paid as agreed, so calculating how much of a factor the negative aspects and positive aspects of the new card would be, how much you guys think that would ding my fico score if I get this next one?
The reason why I am hesitant, Is I want to apply for a home this year, and my score is right below 620(It will be 620 soon with no new negative activity but barely, but when I apply If I can't get approved, I would like to have the 3 lines open for trying again next year and If I dont get the new card now I will be stuck waiting for the potential new one to age for like an extra 7 months+ longer than if I just get it now. ( I read in the mortgage section some lenders are going away from allowing non-traditional tradelines to offset thin files so I want to be prepared if thats the case as soon as possible, but I dont want to get stuck right below 620 if opening this 3rd card is going to do it.
thoughts; insights anyone?
I would wait until your mortgage is secure before applying for anything.
