I just had my credit pulled by a lender, and they are way better than I expected. My middle score is 647. My TU score, which was 549 in July, is now 635. They are using TU 04. He believes I wouldn't have much trouble getting qualified for a mortgage. He says that VA wants DTI to be no higher than 41%. Mine now is 44%, but that includes my car payment, which will be paid off in November. The only thing holding me back is a 30 day late on my car which occurred in May, but he said that wouldn't be a problem come November.
Because of this forum, I am a few steps closer to realizing my dream of home ownership. The LO was impressed about my knowledge of the way things work, and I owe it all to you guys.