Theres a few things that I would like to know about AA taken by CCC.   1. If they approve you for a card with a promo, like 0% APR, would they able to, for example, close your account and end the promo APR, if their only reason was that they got spooked by someone using 90% of their util on their new card.     2. Are CCC's less likely to get spooked if you, tell them at the time you get the card that you plan to use the credit right away and carry a balance for a while because you are doing something like a home improvement project, and what the card specifically for this use.   I guess what Im really asking is, if theres a limit on what CCCs can do when they get spooked, and is there anything consumers can do before hand, to prevent the CCC from getting spooked. ... View more

We closed last Dec.  I would have never apped for that Freedom card during the mortgage process.  ALthough I don't think it will be a deal breaker. It might  turn out to be one more hurdle you have to jump, to get to closing.   If they pull your credit before closing, the INQ and the new account will likely have negative effects on your score. They may want a letter of explanation about the new account. Also,you may have bumped your score down, to where you don't get the best rate. I don't think this will stop you from closing.  But you may have created a little more paper work for yourself.     Good luck! ... View more

Hate to sound like a putz, but what's the benefit of apping on Jan.1.  ... View more

Thanks for the reply.  Which of their card charge cards are perceived to be the easiest to obtain?  Also, would AMEX allow an AU card for DW? ... View more

So far I have two   1. HHGregg $4k 2. Ashley Furniture $3K   Considering adding Lowes to the mix if Citi does not up the CL on my Home Depot card. ... View more

For 2013, I plan on getting in the door with Chase via their Freedom card.  I also want Barclay's Choice Privilages Visa and a Kay's charge. Ive been in the garden since 12/2011.  I have a major baddie coming off in Feb.... So come March, let the games begin! ... View more

Ive been a Choice member since 2010.  Im also with Wyndham, Priority & Hilton Honors, as I travel alot as well. Choice, BY FAR, is the best bang for your buck, IMO.  Im a Diamond member with Choice, which means you get bonus points for every stay.  Choice also has the most promotions which allows you to rack up points, FAST. Most of the other Memberships rarely have promos, but with Choice they usually have something going on. They have many promotions where you earn free stay (8000 points) on as little as 2 seperate stays.I 've been know to have 2 nite stay where I spend 1 nite in one of their hotels, and then move to another hotel the second night.  With the promo they often run, those 2 nights get me around 10,000 points. You can do this up to, 9 times if I recall correcly. BTW, their Comfort Suite brand is probably the best value they have.   This card is on my Wish list for 2013.  Im opted out right now.  But the last time I booked a room online, I was prompted to apply for the card.  1st time that had happend to me.  Because Im opted ,Im assuming everyone is getting the prompt. But in March, Im going to try my luck. ... View more

Yep, thats exactly what Im looking for. But thanks to all who replied! ... View more

@distantarray wrote: Condoms Dental Floss $40 cash  :) literally LOL'd... ... View more

bump... ... View more

Glad you had me check that out.  Its a USDA loan through Chase, but for some reason its listed as an agriculrure loan.  I just hope FICO isn't making this same mistake. ... View more

The BK's aged off EX & TU, but EQ has a 10yr rule for dismissed BK13's.  So Im thinking the lower tier advice would only apply to cards that pull EQ or do you think the old 90 day lates will still play a factor with EX. BTW, which cards do you consider lower tier? ... View more

" Chase and Discover let you tell them which bureau you would like them to look at."   Looking for clarrification on this statement.  Are you saying that, if I app over the phone with Chase,the CSR will ask which CR I want them to pull? ... View more

Im no Guru. But it ismy understanding that your house would not be cosidered sold until its actually sold.  Having it under contract wont do the trick. If you can show 12 or 24  months of rent payments paid to you, that might do the trick, as the UW may include the rent payment as income.   Good Luck! ... View more

Which CRA does Chase usually pull, or does it vary? ... View more

Thanks guys...Imi in MS. Im going to look and see exactly what her signature is on, tonight. ... View more

IMo, rent to own scenarios are what you make of them. Read everything. If it sounds like something you like, go for it.  I just got out of a rent to own.  The house was a model home in a new subdivision, located in the most desirable town in our area.  We started renting in 2009. We were looking to purchase in 2011.  The house was very nice with many upgrandes.    What changed our mind was the fact that , in 2010 the county decided that a new county jail would be built directy behind the subdivision.  Also, when we moved in, the subdivision was about 10% full.  All of the original builders either went out of business or just stopped building. Our builder's primary business was remodeling. He stopped building as well. One new builder took over and he started building crap homes.  Our home and many of the original homes were 1900 -  2200 sq ft, and this new builder started building 1500 - 1700 sq ft homes.    Our lease/purchase price was $185k.  This new builder was starting at $135K.  They mainly sold a package for $150k.  There was a HUGE difference in the inside of these homes compared to ours and the other originals. The new builder used popcorn ceilings, no crown molding, very basic master baths, etc...   Fast forward to 2011, and the subdivision was now 75% full, made up mostly of the new cheaper homes. Construction on the jail had began.  The landlord made it clear that he couldnt go lower than $175K.   I sent hime a letter about all the new circumatances (new builder, jail, etc..) and I made him a final offer of 165K if he built a privacy fence and made a few other upgrades.  The landlord didnt respond to my offer I sent to him, until the day after we put a contract on another home.  He countered with 165K no fence or any other upgrades, so it would not have mattered anyway.   Rent to own worked in our favor in a few ways, even in this scenario, although we didn't purchase the home.  I would recommend rent to own.  But beware, things can go wrong if you have a flakey landlord.  My landlord was great, he just made a decision based on his financial requirements, fine.  But our agreement was fair and he was prepared to sell the house at some what of discount.  Unfortunately the housing market changed things to where it was more beneficial for him to find another renter than to sell the house at the price I was willing to pay, and it was more beneficial for me to purchase a new home in an even better subdivision as the lower interest rates made it so we could afford more house.  Being the big fish in small pond is not what I want to be when it comes to where I own real estate..   Rent to own does let you take the home and neighborhhod a test drive before you purchase.  But again, do what you can to make certain you are dealing with a good and decent seller/landlord.     Good Luck!        ... View more

OP,   I was in a simular situation.  I had enough trade lines, but my LO wanted to make my file stronger by using my rent payments as a nontraditional trade line.  The best option is to provide the back of the check that was used to pay the landlord.  We didnt always use checks.  We sometimes used money orders.  Because we used the money orders, LO was told he could not use rental payments, as a trade line.  We had all the stubs from the money orders, and we were able to show the money being taken from my account.  But they would not accept it.  What my LO ended up doing is something I still don't understand today. We were a few days before closing, and a Verifiation of rent by mail was not an option. LO said he was having my rental payments added to my CR.  He said the CRA would call the land lord and ask a few questions about payment history, and have then have the payment history added to my CR.  The LO told me it worked, and we closed. So, I never to asked too much about the process.   Since we closed, I have checked my TU and my Ex CRs.  The rental account is not there.  I have not pulled EQ.  I dont think it will be there, because I have never received a new account alert from Score Watch. I think they may have used another CRA outside of the big 3, and added that CR  to my file and presented it to the UW.  You may want to ask your LO, is something like this is an option for you.           Good Luck!   ... View more

OP,   This is a buyer's market.  Im pretty sure you will find what you're looking for in this market.     Good Luck! ... View more

Assuming you are going for an FHA or USDA loan, this sounds pretty normal.  Although, there are many banks that only require 3 open trade lines, 12+ months old.  I closed on a USDA in Dec. 2011, and I actually got approved with just 2 open trade lines, and 1 AU trade line.  I'm pretty sure this is a requirement you can get around.   If this is an FHA or USDA loan you may want to check with the bank and see if they accept alternate trade lines such as utility bills, cell phone bills, etc...     Good Luck! ... View more

Congrats on your new home!! ... View more

60 points in 3 months is pretty tough. Paying down your car loan will do nothing to bring up your score. The fastest way to boost your score is to pay down CC debt.  Getting rid of the collections can also boost your score, but that often takes alot of time to accomplish.  Sometimes one wont see a boost from having a collection account removed, unless its the last collection on your report.   Pull your scores here, or ask your lender for the codes on your report.  These codes tell you whats hurting your score.  If you pull from here, it will also list the things that are hurting your score.    You mentioned you just got approved for an HSBC Discover.  Don't  forget that new accounts have a negative effect on your AAoA.  This could actually bring your score down.  Take a look at the Rebuilding you credit board here on myfico.com.  Theres tons of information there.  I wouldn't make another move until you've gone over there and did some research.   Good Luck! ... View more

Congrats! ... View more