Which is the better route?

[Anonymous]

I am very new to the forum so bear with me if this is a dumb question.  I am trying to raise my scores to get a mortgage so that my wife and I can get out of the shoe box we are living in.  I have obviously made poor decisions with my credit in the past (posting in rebuilding your credit forum)  but I have been working on it.  First I got added as an authorized user on a credit card with an $8K limit that has a long history of good payment and a low balance.  Then I got a cap one credit $500 limit (minimal balance).  I also got an auto loan recently.  I have 3 ($1800 total) collections left on my credit and all three started reporting in the last 12 months.  Recently the card that I am an authorized user on has shot up to a balance of $7700 (98% utilization).  So my question is what will make my score go up the fastest?  Taking myself off a an authorized user, pay the 3 collections or help to pay down the balance on the card that I am an authorized user on?  Any feedback good, bad, or otherwise is greatly appreciated.

[-NewGuy-]

Welcome to the forums. Having the cardholder pay off their card would be great, as removing yourself if a catch 22. You don't want to appear maxed out, as you do now because of the 98% UTIL, but removing yourself decreases your credit from almost nine grand to 500 bucks.

However, attmpting to get rid of those collections should indeed be a priority. Look around in the Rebuilding forum for advice on PFDs. Assuming that you are able to pay them of course.

I wouldn't go applying for anything new if your goal is to get a mortgage in the near future.

[Anonymous]

^^agree^^. PFD is the way to go. Mortgage Lenders do not like to see unpaid accounts of any kind. Best to get rid of them as soon as possible. Good luck.