yes it is the fico score. The baddies are my mortgage and 2nd mortgage, both are caught up as of march 1st, (behind because of katrina) but it is still showing my past payment history on there.
I'm no pro yet (and I'm sure they'll pipe in soon) but paying down the credit card balances should make a world of difference. I'm fairly sure my score went up 50 points or so due to getting mine from 75% to 25%. I'll get to see what getting them to 3% (1 to 9% is supposed to be ideal) does for me in a couple weeks. Score simulators estimate that I could get as much as another 50 points for that.
You may have luck with a GW letter to your mortage lendor too, depending on how late you were, and how many times, etc.
i agree, it seems that your utility will be the quickest way to boost scores. I also imagine you will have better luck with a GW letter than most because you were affected by a natural disaster. Give it a try, and keep us posted.
