what steps can i take

Hi wmarotiere,
You can check out this article:

http://www.debtconsolidationcare.com/improving.html

The most important factor that affects your credit score is your payment history. It makes up almost 35% of your total credit score. Your current payment history will have a greater influence on your credit more than the payments you did not make five years ago. So pay back your bills on time. Pay off your credit cards in full if possible every month. Plan a workable budget; spend only when it is necessary. And regularly monitor your credit score. Your credit score is not going to bump up in an overnight, it will take time. So, you have to be very patient.

Read the link below for a step to step guide on fixing low credit scores.

http://www.debtconsolidationcare.com/credit-repair/about23503.html

Pull your latest credit copies and find out the status of each account. You will find out if there is any disputed item reported by the bureaus, which needs to be removed. Inaccurate negative items lower the credit scores. Make sure that your credit report is reporting the correct items. Once you have done this, call the creditors and make your payment arrangements. Your scores will improve slightly after the accounts get paid off one by one.