I have high util on my credit cards, so my scores are lower right now. When I pay them down, could I still be hurt by having had high util in the past? Or will the zero balances simply reflect in my score?
When the util is paid down your score will go up. It doesn't count the past balances.
Starting Score: 504 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.