Question on score

[Anonymous]

My credit score is around 650 (+/- 5pts)

Based on my own research I think I have three contributing factors:

1.
In 2011-12 some late payments on loans, all has been paid and closed. No collections though.

2.
In 2016, mortgage was sold and a processing error caused a 30 day late. Disputing, but think I only have a 50% chance to get removed.

3.
Revolving lines were being used at 70% available. 3 cards, one was 100% used and maxed out and the other was 97% used. The last one was about 50%.

I paid off all credit cards down about 15k to about 18% utilization. Now total utilization is about 18% and each card is below 20% utilization.

Does anyone want to guess or have an idea how many points my score will jump after the new card balances are reflected?

[Anonymous]

30-50 points.

Get it down to one card with a tiny balance for more!

[Anonymous]

Is it better to have 2 of the 3 cards paid off with zero balance but keep them open, or are you saying I should close 2 of the 3?

[Remedios]

No, he'said saying if you want to further boost to your score, have only one card report a small balance (8.9% or less) and the other two should report zero balance.
That does not mean you cannot use those two cards, just pay them before statements cuts.

[Anonymous]

Great. Any idea or directional estimate on how many additional points that could boost your score (paying all but 1)? Is it 10 points, etc.

Getting close to talking to a lender for a mortgage and want to get things in order.

Thanks again for the help.