Tax liens look bad. Paid is better, though not for scoring. They stay on for 7 years after paid. They do get less as time goes by.
The little debt ($28) who is this with. You might try a pay for delete. From what I've learned, always DV before PFD, though. Have you read Tuscani's Credit 101? (Awesome info!)
As far as credit cards for optimum points:
Carry -0- balance on half or more of cards
below 9% is best, but try not to allow all to post -0- balances!
If you have to keep a balance because of business, the higher your credit limits, the better! More cards or higher credit limits help with this. Read the forums, many give advice on which creditors do soft pulls for credit line increases.
Can you make more payments per cycle to offset what reports?
As far as mortgages, you're really better off in the mortgage forums (also great advice
)
With your score(s) you could probably get a loan, but with creditors tightening up, you'll probably have to have 5-20% down, unless you went FHA. The 659 score--is this Equifax? Is this a score pulled here?
If you google discounts for scores here, you would be best served by purchasing all three. Lenders typically go with your 'middle score' for basis of mortagage.