Don't want to kill my history, but.

I have 5 tradelines, my scores are now
EXP 621
EQ 595
TU 580

2 are old (1998) charge-offs
1 is old car payment (97) paid
1 is old loan (97) paid
1 is current car payment...currently good, many
30 day lates in 2000-2001, a few in 2002

I have not paid on the charge-offs, they both sent me settlements recently, which I responded to w/validation letters 32 DAYS AGO...did not receive the green card back, both called & I did not answer.
1 is w/Arrow for Cap One
1 is with Risk Management for Providian, which was previously w/NCO (who I offered a settlement to that they turned down)

My thing is...I want to get a mortgage by January. My husband's scores are in the high 600's, but I am the primary wage earner. I know I should open some new lines, as my car payment is truly only my open line.

I think if I am successful deleting these charge-offs (not likely given the history of Risk Mgmt & Arrow), I will wipe out my history and lower my score. My score keeps steadily rising by 7 points every month simply by paying my car payment on time. The new company that holds my car payment responded to my goodwill letter and agreed to wipe clean the 2001 (6 30 day lates) and 2002 (3 30 day lates) slates.

I'd like to bring my middle score up to at least 621...I know I am going to get a %$#@ rate, but we really need a bigger place and we are renting (always on time & by check, of course!).

What does anyone suggest to bring my scores up by Jan/Dec? Will wiping out the lates on the car loan help?

I want to settle the charge-offs so I can go FHA, but should I since they are old? What is the best to go for? Paid? Settled? i know they all suck, but still...

 

...but I had 2 charge-offs deleted and my score WENT DOWN average 20 points because I killed off some history, I think.

What do you mean paid for deletion in writing only?