Hello All,
This is my first post to the board but I have read MANY posts and responses and updates as I have been on the path to improve my credit. When I started, my files at all three bureaus were A MESS!!! Thanks to the small investment in credit monitoring on this site and the INCREDIBLY helpful information on these discussion boards, I have been able to make dramatic improvement in my scores in just a year's time. My credit is recovering from a divorce, a foreclosure and a reposession so my scores were in DIRE need of attention.
In August of 2015 my EQ = 590, TU = 628 and EX = 608. I had one Capital One card at $500 and while I paid on time I wasn't regularly managing my utilization. I had multiple collection accounts reporting and several charge offs. I couldn't finance a stick of gum and I was totally ignoring the massive work I needed to do on my credit profile.
As of June 2016 my EQ = 680, TU = 717 and EX = 696. I still have a way to go, but I have had a 90 point increase across all three bureaus which I think is great! I now have NO collections on my reports and only one paid charge off reporting. My original Capital One Platinum was upgraded to a QuickSilver Card and the limit was raised to $1850, I have added to that a QuickSilver One at $6000 and a Venture at $7000. Additionally, I have an AMEX PRG with NPSL, an AMEX Platinum Delta SkyMIles at $6000, a NFCU Flagship Rewards at $22,000, a Bank of America Travel Rewards Visa at $3000, a PayPal Extras MasterCard at $3000, a PenFed Promise Visa at $2500, a Barclays Rewards MasterCard at $2000, a Walmart Store Card at $6000, an Amazon Prime Store Card at $6000 for a total of $65,350 in total credit available that I have kept under 9% utilization continuously. My Bank of America and PenFed limits would be higher but I am unwilling to take hard pulls for the additional credit.
Today, I learned that I was approved for a new mortgage with NO underwriting conditions or stipulations. Just a year ago I would have thought this was IMPOSSIBLE, but with the advice and personal stories from you all on the boards I have been able to make a tremendous recovery. I am sharing my story and adding it to the countless success stories that exist because of how dedicated people here are to helping others. If you are starting a credit recovery journey, or are in the middle of one like me...know that the effort is TOTALLY worth it and pay it forward so that more success stories can follow! Thank you all again!!!
I cant wait till im ready to get a house of my own. The journey to get there is so exciting.