First-time homebuyer, age 34, sales manager · Tampa, FL · 8 months

Tampa First-Time Buyer Lifted Mid-Score From 548 to 704 in 8 Months

A Tampa professional walked in with 6 collections, 91% utilization, and a 548 mid-score. Eight months later she closed on a $328K FHA mortgage with a 704 mid-score and 6% down.

Mid-score (FICO 5)
548704
Collections on file
61 (paid)
Revolving utilization
91%6%
DTI
53%41%
Challenge

Three years of medical and credit card debt had left her with six open collections, two charge-offs, and revolving utilization above 90%. Two lenders had already declined her FHA application. She had a 24-month timeline before her lease ended and her landlord planned to sell.

Approach
  1. 01Pulled tri-bureau report and ran a full METRO 2 inconsistency audit at intake.
  2. 02Filed METRO 2-specific disputes against 4 of the 6 collections; 3 deleted within 60 days.
  3. 03Settled the remaining collections with pay-for-delete language drafted by the platform.
  4. 04Executed AZEO balance shaping across her three revolving accounts to drop reported utilization from 91% to 6%.
  5. 05Added a secured tradeline and a self-lender installment loan to round out the file.
  6. 06Coached on mortgage-lender selection and ran an FHA-tuned mock pull before formal application.
Outcome

She closed at 6% down on a $328,000 FHA mortgage with a 704 mid-score and DTI of 41%. Total derogatory items dropped from 8 to 1.

"I had been declined twice. CloudsCreditRepair™ gave me a step-by-step plan and stayed on top of every dispute. I'm in my house."
M.R., Tampa FL
FAQs
How long did the credit work take?

Eight months from intake to mortgage close, including dispute cycles, balance shaping, and lender selection.

How many disputes were filed?

Three rounds against the bureaus and two direct furnisher disputes, all METRO 2-specific.

Is this a typical timeline?

Yes for files with 4-8 derogatory items and active revolving accounts. Heavier files can take 12-18 months.

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