Just joined this site and I'm now addicted. Just got married and looking to up my score for a home purchase in two years. I have a low 600 and would like to get to the 700 range within two years. Brief background: I was not financial responsible for the greater part of my twenties. Racked up cc debt, sent to collections (for really small amounts), payed late on many accounts, and was an overall degenerant in regards to preparing for my future. I had to enter a DMP (CCCS) in 2002 to help me get out of the hole I had dug for myself. Questions: In three months, I will out of my DMP. I have one more card to pay off (BoA). Currently, the account will close once I have a zero balance. Any chance that I can call BoA and have them keep this account open? I have two CA payoffs (that show no opening date on my credit report). Should I write a GW letter to see if they will remove the info from my report? One is for $69 and the other is for $345. What about the fact that they don't show an opening date? Should I send GW letter to all the creditors that I've missed payments on? How many do they typically remove? Thanks for any help you can provide.
