I bought a vehicle one year ago and have 5 cc's and my credit score was 551. Now I recently had 2 surgeries that put me out of work for 12+ weeks. So needless to say my payments were behind. I now have a score of 498 and want to purchase a home. I know that score is impossible to be approved with, so I need to know should I pay off the car (which we owe 11,000 on), or put the money down on the home? Either way I now have a lump sum of money to pay off the car and cards, and am unsure of what to do. Also, unsure if my score jump to possible mid 600's (after paying everything off) or am I dreaming?