@sharriel,
I understand your pain. I too app'd like crazy. 13 cards just this year and 9 of those since July. I did my last app last month with chase for a CSP and was politely slapped down because of all the new accounts. The rep told me that if I didn't have all the new accounts he would have approved me. Silly me! The good thing in my case is that I actually need these accounts to build my credit as I only had two secured cards which were opened last year and I closed one and the other will be closing sometime mid 2014. My AAoA accounts is only 3.2 years so as these accounts age, they will certainly help me. Chase told me to reapply this time next year and if everything remains the same, I'll be approved. I expect my scores to go up and to keep my utilization between 0-5%. Now to your question. If you close two accounts, they will still stay on your reports and remain factored into your AAoA. No way around that unless you get the creditors to remove the accounts. I have to garden (forced).
(Formerly known as: Credit is my hobby (1.6M)/TCL objective)
You seriously need to join the Garden Club and get active in the thread. Seriously!
July 2013 score: EQ FICO 819, TU08 778, EX "806 lender pull 07/26/2013
Goal Score: All Scores 760+, Newest goal 800+
Take the myFICO Fitness Challenge
Current scores after adding $81K in CLs and 2 new cars since July 2013
EQ:809 TU 777 EX 790 Now it's just garden time!
June 2017 update: All scores over 820, just pure gardening now.
@guiness56 wrote:
@sharriel wrote:I know I shouldn't have opened all of these but I did and have learned my lesson. I would like to get a mortgage next summer but now I'm scared to death and I have totally ruined my chances by getting a few stupid $250 credit limits. If I close 2 of these with 0 balances, will it do anything?
Right now my AAoA is:
Length of Credit History 22 Years, 8 Months
Average Account Age 5 Years, 5 Months
Will closing 2 of these make them come off my report and possibly raising my AAoA?
No, the only thing closing them will do is take away the CL from being factored into your utilization. They will still remain as positive accounts for up to 10 years from date closed.
To add to this, while the accounts are open you can build payment history on them. Positive tradelines are of value regardless, and at the six month mark or so they may be helpful. I'd keep them open personally, longer-term these accounts won't hurt you at all, just in the short term it looks a little suspect with a mortgage coming up. I would take whatever advantage I could out of the situation, and that means leaving the cards open to work for you. A closed card at this point does you no benefit, whereas an open card (assuming you don't become delinquent on them, try not to do that! 
) can benefit you.
Ergo, imo, leave 'em open.
Just a suggestion - rotate those you are least likely to use - every other month or every two months to keep them open and to accrue the TL history - make small purchases and PIF. Nurture those you plan to keep and commit to taking care of them (keep util low and PIF every month) and do not apply for anything else. In 8 months to a year, you might be in the position to apply for a prime card or two, even though it may be a low starting limit, you'll be better off and can adjust to a new sort of "tier" (prime card(s) to grow with you).
On the bright side, your multiple INQ's will all fall off in the same year Beyond that, as hard as it may be, patience is required, you'll get there if you exercise patience. Without exercising patience, the home ownership isn't going to be easy (your score might rise to acceptance, but your profile may not and you may not get acceptable rates). Decide now how badly you want that home.
Buy something small (like socks) if you need them. If you need a jacket, get it somewhere you can use the card. Once your chargeoffs are removed, you should be lookin' pretty good!
Keep a spreadsheet and attach your receipts to the file. Make sure everything is paid ontime. Buy what you NEED. I haven't used my VS card in a while, but I do NEED airfreshener thingies, so I'll get them a Bath and Body Works...keep the card active. Theirs are the BEST, even covers up litter box odor!
This credit thing is a lot of hard work!
I think you're on your way!