[shibabigk]

We might be relocating to California early next year due to DHs job and are cosidering buying a home down there. Nothings for certain yet, but I figured it can't hurt to start thinking about our options now.
We have some credit card debt ($6844), it was a lot more just a few monts ago, before the possible move came up we aggressively reduced our debt. Now, I decided to pay a litle over the minimum and put the rest in savings, seeing that a move will cost us, no point in paying them off if I just need to use them again. If the move does not happen, the money will go on the CC.
We have no money for a down payment, but being active duty we might qualify for a VA loan. We are looking for a small, modest home, the ones I've seen that would be a good fit for us are all below 120,000.
I understand that we might not move, might not qualify for a zero down loan and migh thus not be able to buy a home at all.
Anyway, my DH has made some unwise choices in the past when it comes to credit, so I am trying to see if there is anything we can do to get rid of late payments.
He has a total of four accounts that show late payments (all less than 60 days late, all have been paid)
1st
Car Loan, one late payment in October of 2007, will this one fall off the report come November of 09 since the report shows the last 24 months?

Target Credit Card, one missed payment in March 2008, we've called to have it taken off, no luck. He will try again and maybe speak to a manger. Balance on the card is zero since this month.

2 closed accounts (both Chase CC, I think one was a circuit city card), both were paid off, DH cancelled the cards.
He hasn't called Chase yet, but is it possible to ask them to remove the late payments in exchange for opening a new CC account? No danger of overspening with a new card, I am keeping a close eye on everything and he's learned his lesson ;-) Is that something completely unrealistic, or do companies go for this?

One has three late payments, March, April and October of 2005
one has one late payment June 2007.

Is there anything we can do to get rid of these before we go shopping for a loan? How bad does this look to a lender?

Thanks!

Sorry for typos, my keyboard keeps messing up.