I have bad credit, score is in the mid 500s, and I have been paying off old debt accounts. There are still a few left to pay, but what I want to know is what will raise my credit score, how much can it be raised, as I want to buy a house in a few years. How can I ensure my score is the best when I try to get a mortgage?
I have no credit cards. Would getting a low balance one, paying utilities with it, and paying it off every month help my score with that revolving balance? What tips or other things should I do to boost my score?