I've recently started cleaning up my credit after years of neglect. Current scores: EQ 627, TU 612, EX 631 up from mid 500s in the winter. Settled some past miscellaneous derogatories (all under $500) before I learned of pay for delete 
Approved for CapOne QuickSIlver for 500 last week. Plan to use as much as possible and pay it off several times per month to keep utilization low but to hopefully get a CLI within 3 mos. Otherwise, my AAoA is over 8 years and oldest line is 11 (all thanks to student loans.) I've made two late payments in the past 2 years on an auto loan and have 1 inq on TU and 3 on EX.
My goal: To buy a house. My fiancee and & I would like to buy within 6-12 months. My question: One of the major things hurting me is my total credit available. Besides trying to get the CLI on my CapOne QS (I have a secured CapOne as well), should I be applying for other cards right now? I know I'm shopping for a mortgage within 12 months -- so which hurts me more, inquiries or low total available credit? If I should get apply for more cards, what cards specifically? Any advisement is much appreciated.
@Anonymous wrote:I've recently started cleaning up my credit after years of neglect. Current scores: EQ 627, TU 612, EX 631 up from mid 500s in the winter. Settled some past miscellaneous derogatories (all under $500) before I learned of pay for delete
My goal: To buy a house. My fiancee and & I would like to buy within 6-12 months. My question: One of the major things hurting me is my total credit available. Besides trying to get the CLI on my CapOne QS (I have a secured CapOne as well), should I be applying for other cards right now? I know I'm shopping for a mortgage within 12 months -- so which hurts me more, inquiries or low total available credit? If I should get apply for more cards, what cards specifically? Any advisement is much appreciated.
Are you guys set on a firm 6-12 months before pulling credit for your mortgage? No experience opening accounts right before mortgage but everything I've read has led me to believe that having a decent gap between opening new credit and mortgage app is usually advised. Would be optimal in my opinion to have 3 cards not 2 as letting one report means you're having 50% of accounts reporting. But no expert. Hopefully bumping this thread will have some of the people more knowledgable with you situation weigh in with their expertise and give you the real lowdown. Best of luck!