[jmjj215]

I would get rid of all of your credit cards and close the accounts.

As far as your credit score goes, the only reason you need a credit score is to borrow money. And the only reason you borrow money is for a modest home. And if you go to a manual underwriter then you don't need a credit score. You just need to show that you're not buying too much house, you've got a good down payment, a solid job, and you paid your rent on time for the last two or three years. No credit score necessary.

I think the whole "build credit" thing is a myth fed to us when we're young to get us used to buying things with other people's money. Any bank worth its salt will manually take a look at your financial situation and loan you money for a house.

Those are my 2 cents.