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Credit cards

I have 2 credit cards;
Virgin (7000K limit) - £2400 balance
Barclaycard (5000K limit) - £1000 balance


We are obviously trying to reduce the debt as quick as we can. However, prior to applying for a mortgage is it worthwhile transferring the debt onto 1 of the cards (interest free for 12 months) and cancelling the other card?

There seems to be conflicting advice on numerous different websites. Has anyone experience of this? Or, are there any brokers who could offer advice?

Regards and thanks in advance.

Comments

  • anselld
    anselld Posts: 8,718 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Reducing the overall available credit is sensible. £12m does seem a bit high :D
  • GMS
    GMS Posts: 5,388 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Interest rate won't matter to a lender. They will take a percentage of the balance as a monthly commitment, typically between 3 and 5%.
    I am a Mortgage Adviser
    You should note that this site doesn't check my status as a mortgage adviser, so you need to take my word for it. This signature is here as I follow MSE's Mortgage Adviser Code of Conduct. Any posts on here are for information and discussion purposes only and shouldn't be seen as financial advice.
  • Thanks for your replies. If i do transfer and cancel a card my debt utilisation ratio will increase to over 40%. How would a lender view this bearing mind I read that they prefer debt utilisation ratio levels to be around 25%.

    Thanks in advance
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