Trying to Understand What 4 Years of Work Has Done

[mandev97]

So, in 2010:

TU 626

EQ 553

EX 578

Four years of dilligently paying everything ontime and decreasing my balances, but somehow having 2 collections from Verizon and Doctor show up and here are the results:

TU 669 Up 43

EQ 667 Up 114

EX 678 Up 100

Although they are all off a bit from each other in terms of the information. They all have my first Cap One card I ever got when I was 18 still there, but one, and I don't remember which says my longevity of 16 years of credit is counting against me even thought the other two have my longevity of 28 years as a plus...I just don't get how everything we are judged/rated by insurance and finance industries can rely so heavily on systems that are so different and, well, could be flawed. Only 1 had the two collections anyway..... So 4 years worth of diligence and to me this doesn't make sense, or make me feel much better. What could/should I do to get the scores up quicker. I will say that the gap (difference between the high and low score) has decreased which I am assuming is good?? USAA will only refinance a house with a min 680 score and right now, that is my goal.

Thanks in advance.

Elizabeth 

[Focused10]

I believe the collections still being open are what's hurting you. Have you tried negotiating with Verizon to pay the collection or even dispute it? As long as those are open, it will hit your score hard. It looks like you've done quite a bit of work in 4 years and that's great. I would try to settle any open balances/payments you may have and you may be able to negotiate having them remove it all together once payment is decided. It doesn't hurt to ask. And I would let them know you're trying to buy a house. I've seen bigger surprises happen with this whole credit industry. 

I wish you the best!

[Revelate]

Post your collections over in the Rebuilding Your Credit forum, and ask for ideas on how to address both of them: your optimum solution is getting what's called a Pay For Delete (PFD), which I emphatically wish I'd done with my own collections before just paying them (before I found this forum, sadly).

As for other improvements to your score, put what's currently in your report in terms of tradeline, type (revolving or installment), current balance, credit limit (if applicable, credit cards and similar), and the date on those collections, and we may be able to give you some advice towards getting over 680 within a year or so, certainly possible if you have the history if not sooner especially if you can get those collections resolved favorably (i.e. off your report entirely via PFD) and if you don't have any other derogatories.