Can I still get a decent mortgage?

moneysaver95

Hi all, 
I'm in my early 20's and my parents are gifting me quite a lot of money towards a deposit for a flat. My issue is I took out a credit card in 2018 and ended up getting myself in around £1,500 of debt. Early this year I took out another one and did a 0% balance transfer and have just paid it off fully. Both credit cards are still open but have no debt on them.

They want me to start looking at flat to buy in the next few months (I do too, they're not forcing me but just think it's best to do it sooner rather than later) and I am going to shut down the CC that I did the balance transfer on but should I shut down the other one too? Is it better to close them both and not have access to credit or is it better to have one open but have it not used for a few months? 

 I have 0 debt now (including no student loans, no car payments etc.) but I've read you should be 6-12 months out of it before applying for mortgages etc. will anyone trust me enough to give me a mortgage?

I'm in a stable job which I started 16 months ago and they have spoken about giving me a pay rise in September. 

RelievedSheff

I would leave the credit cards open for if you need them. They won't affect your chances of getting a mortgage of there is no balance owing on them.

You don't have to have all balances cleared to get a mortgage. It just affects your affordability if they are not fully cleared as the repayments are taken into account.

moneysaver95

Okay thank you! I was really worried banks would not want to lend me anything and think I'm risky or something... fingers crossed it all goes well!