If your mortgage loan is going to be close to the maximum for which you can qualify, be very careful about adding new credit lines and don't run up your credit card balances buying furniture, window coverings, etc. in advance of closing. Just before closing, the underwriters will be going over your application and credit with an even finer tooth comb than when you got pre-approved so don't create problems for yourself.

Just make sure they don't have the same address as the account gets added to your credit reports.

On the other hand, if their account is very old plus they have positive pay history and low utilization, that may be a good thing to have their account report on your credit reports. Read the credit thread on www.creditboards.com for an interesting read.

Thanks everyone for the advice everyone...

I think I will just hold off but look into my builder taking credit card payments (I don't think he will however as his is already not excited about the market being down and won't want a lesser cut with cc fee's).

One odd note, I KNOW they haven't pulled my credit period for this loan which is odd to me. I'm not worried about it but they just had me fill out a personal financial report where I just put in what I make, debt, car payment, etc. What prevents someone from lying? If they truly don't check until closing, if I don't qualify they (the bank) are stuck with a house. Maybe that's part of the reason we are or were in this housing mess to begin with.

One quick edit, the reason I thought about applying for more cards now also is that I will have a brand new address and sometimes don't cc companies worry about how long you have been at your current residence?

Sounds like they did a prequalification instead of a preapproval (with conditions) based on what you put down on your personal financial report. Prequals aren't worth much, preapprovals are better.

I figured I would just vent in here, instead of starting a new thread.

After the government's announcement this week about allowing underwater mortgage holders a refinance through HARP, it looks like I have to take a break from credit cards until January, at least. I pay my mortgage on time, and don't have any problems, but I owe about $75K more than it is worth. With this new program, I should be able to cut about 9 years off the loan (refinance to a 15 year loan), and cut my interest rate almost in half. I suspect my payment will still go up slightly, but this will help a bunch in the long run.

So, until this happens, thanks for the points! I was about to go for the 70K Marriot, and 50K Citi AA Business cards, but I'll just hold off...

I only started in July, and have received 40K US Air miles for both my wife and myself, 150K AA miles for both my wife and myself, and 50K Chase Sapphire points for myself. Not a bad start.

I'm looking forward to new offers in January!

Another option would be to sign up for Serve, where you can get secondary cards (subaccounts) in other people's names and just load them with whatever limits you want.

I signed up for Serve - but never tried loading from my cc. From the website it looks like loading by credit card is fee free until January 1, 2012 (after which is 2.9% + .30).

whatever

50000 points is epic value

a difference of 2 or 3 % over the life of your loan...or not getting the loan well they'd be doing you a favor...just pay cash or us mint coins instead.