So my CC usage is sky-high (90%) after some medical expenses last year - and I really REALLY want to pay off those balances, so figured I'd take out a HELOC. My score is 709, being pushed down by the util. But no big late stuff - I have one medical expense write-off for $32 that I keep disputing because it's bogus, that's the only negative besides my util. I make $120k/year, have owned my home for 13 years, same job for 21 years. Penfed turned me down due to the high util. Do I have a shot at a reconsideration if I explain that I will be paying off my CC's?
