Thanks to All for your support!
Girlie:
Like they say everyone's credit file is unique. What I had that was holding me down was 10 cc that were completely maxed out. By reading and utilizing the info that the contributors here had posted I paid down my cc to an overall credit util of approx 27% from >90%. This proved to be drastic.
Also, backing up a little, I had some old collection accounts age to 7 and/or was removed. Dead weight/monkey offback type of stuff.
First and foremost on those 10 cc the oldest is approx 5 years old and all the payments with the exception of one or two times for 1 or 2 accounts were never late! High util, but again never late for me was key.
So for someone with a similar profile paying down maxed cards was key.
Now I am testing another theory which is the effects of inquiries and new accounts on a fico score both the short and long term effects.
Good Luck!!!!
BTW if this isn't your credit profile give us a little more specifics to see what suggestions we can offer you to get you improved scores!