Actually you'll want to allow a small balance to report on only one card. Use both but pay off one of them to zero before it reports. This method is called AZEO, lots of info that's searchable here. It tends to give one the highest optimization of FICO 8 scores.
Mortgage scores love zero-balance accounts, the more the better. I have not seen a comparison of gains in F8 scores with one balance reporting vs gains in mortgage scores with no balances reporting, but conventional wisdom here has been to get into AZEO to pretty up your reports.
You want to be very careful applying for any credit before a mortgage as you'll have to explain it, and new lines of credit will likely cost you points for the new account and the inquiry. At least six months is recommended but if you can go 12 months with no applications before a mortgage it's better because when your youngest revolving account hits a year of age, it can give you a 15-20 point boost.
I wish you the best in your mortgage application and extend condolences as well for the loss of your husband 
@Anonymous wrote:Sorry to hear about your late husband, I couldn't imagine. If you can get above 680, you'll be better off, 720 is about the best rate qualification for some lenders it is 740.
Keep a small balance on each card like$10. If you have 3+ish months maybe get a 3rd card before looking at mortgage's pre-approvals. Just to have another trade line.
It sounds like your DTI ratios will be really good as they're not going to use your phone or utility bills towards DTI. Only payments on your credit report.
Having all cards report a balance is a nice ding to your reports. Same applies having no cards report a balance. Plus no apps for a year before a mortgage approval. Not the greatest advice. Read up on the AZEO method on the forums. More than 50% of cards reporting is a ding. All cards major ding.
@Anonymous wrote:Actually you'll want to allow a small balance to report on only one card. Use both but pay off one of them to zero before it reports. This method is called AZEO, lots of info that's searchable here. It tends to give one the highest optimization of FICO 8 scores.
Mortgage scores love zero-balance accounts, the more the better. I have not seen a comparison of gains in F8 scores with one balance reporting vs gains in mortgage scores with no balances reporting, but conventional wisdom here has been to get into AZEO to pretty up your reports.
You want to be very careful applying for any credit before a mortgage as you'll have to explain it, and new lines of credit will likely cost you points for the new account and the inquiry. At least six months is recommended but if you can go 12 months with no applications before a mortgage it's better because when your youngest revolving account hits a year of age, it can give you a 15-20 point boost.
I wish you the best in your mortgage application and extend condolences as well for the loss of your husband
Yo @Anonymous . What about a SP SSL and pay it down quick. OP didnt mention a installment loan. Theres 20-30 pts. Could go the Self route. OP could explain she got it to raise her scores. Got me thinking. Could work.
@Anonymous wrote:Nothing at all wrong with that in my mind. If there is one available on SP, the points gained for credit mix would likely far outweigh the few points lost for a new account.
Great minds think alike. 
@Anonymous look into a SelfLender loan. Apply 1 month before you app. Then pay it down to 8%. Then apply once you see the score bump from the loan. Thats should get you a 20-30 pt gain.
@FireMedic1 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:Actually you'll want to allow a small balance to report on only one card. Use both but pay off one of them to zero before it reports. This method is called AZEO, lots of info that's searchable here. It tends to give one the highest optimization of FICO 8 scores.
Mortgage scores love zero-balance accounts, the more the better. I have not seen a comparison of gains in F8 scores with one balance reporting vs gains in mortgage scores with no balances reporting, but conventional wisdom here has been to get into AZEO to pretty up your reports.
You want to be very careful applying for any credit before a mortgage as you'll have to explain it, and new lines of credit will likely cost you points for the new account and the inquiry. At least six months is recommended but if you can go 12 months with no applications before a mortgage it's better because when your youngest revolving account hits a year of age, it can give you a 15-20 point boost.
I wish you the best in your mortgage application and extend condolences as well for the loss of your husband
Yo @Anonymous . What about a SP SSL and pay it down quick. OP didnt mention a installment loan. Theres 20-30 pts. Could go the Self route. OP could explain she got it to raise her scores. Got me thinking. Could work.
Just an FYI the SSL trick doesn't really work for mortgage scores it is a FICO 08 trick. The new account will likely do more damage than the 0-5 points that the SSL trick will give for MORTGAGE scores.
I am nervous applying for a loan even if there is a loophole that will help raise my credit score. Has anyone done this trick before and been successful? I am not great at finances and finance lingo (my husband was better at those things) and so it's daunting to try something that I don't have a guarantee at. Could I get a little more info on the concept/process?
Thank y'all for your patience and suggestions!!!
@dragontears wrote:
@FireMedic1 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:Actually you'll want to allow a small balance to report on only one card. Use both but pay off one of them to zero before it reports. This method is called AZEO, lots of info that's searchable here. It tends to give one the highest optimization of FICO 8 scores.
Mortgage scores love zero-balance accounts, the more the better. I have not seen a comparison of gains in F8 scores with one balance reporting vs gains in mortgage scores with no balances reporting, but conventional wisdom here has been to get into AZEO to pretty up your reports.
You want to be very careful applying for any credit before a mortgage as you'll have to explain it, and new lines of credit will likely cost you points for the new account and the inquiry. At least six months is recommended but if you can go 12 months with no applications before a mortgage it's better because when your youngest revolving account hits a year of age, it can give you a 15-20 point boost.
I wish you the best in your mortgage application and extend condolences as well for the loss of your husband
Yo @Anonymous . What about a SP SSL and pay it down quick. OP didnt mention a installment loan. Theres 20-30 pts. Could go the Self route. OP could explain she got it to raise her scores. Got me thinking. Could work.
Just an FYI the SSL trick doesn't really work for mortgage scores it is a FICO 08 trick. The new account will likely do more damage than the 0-5 points that the SSL trick will give for MORTGAGE scores.