Welcome to the world of credit reporting. What a wonderful business model. The credit agencies charge the creditors to put their information in and then they charge other potential creditors to get the information out! So, basically, they don't pay for their inventory, they charge for it and then charge to sell it along with any other services they possibly can.
MyFico is a good place to go to get your credit report as it is the model that most of the home mortgage industry uses to calculate your credit score. I suggest you hit your local library or you local bookstore and read 3-4 books on credit. Only then will you get the big picture.
There are a lot of dirty little tricks in this game. Once you learn the game you can come out ahead. One of the latest is that you get a new card with a limit of $1000. YOu use $500 and the credit company only reports to Equifax, Experian and Transunion that you have a $500 limit. Since this shows that you are maxed out on your credit limit it lowers your credit score significantly. If you read the fine print on that new credit card it states that they have the right to increase your credit rate if your score goes down! Also, know that if you've had your rate hiked, paid down your debt and automatically expect them to lower your interst don't hold your breath. You get to call and argue with them, only then will they lower the rate. It automatically goes up, it never goes down unless you request a rate review.
Like I said, read, read, read. It's a silly game and there are ways around all the nonsense. You just have to know the rules. As for the comments that your trade lines were too new it may be due to something recent. Most of those comments are standard and computer spit out. There is a model and certain things trigger those comments. The comments don't seem to have much to do with your credit scores. The most important things are having three current trade lines, that they have no late pays for 24 months, and that your credit is preferably less than 30% of what is available. If you get a new card make sure they report the limit correctly.
If you're buying a home, look into the FHA products, they've been streamlined and are much easier than before, also, they don't hit you for your credit score. There is no minimum with FHA (the government insurance program) although there could be with the lender. ALWAYS take the PMI option, never go with a loan with no PMI. You can get rid of it in two years, otherwise, it's a higher rate. Stay with fixed rate products. Interest rates are going to be increasing as loans are becoming increasingly more difficult to sell in the secondary market. That's all the advice I can think of!
dyanamite= 20 years in the housing industry as a Realtor, now a mortgage broker and always a real estate investor. Good luck!
