I don't really care what banks think, I have as much credit as I'd ever need within my circle. If I buy a house, I have family that would even take a loan in their name because they know I'm good for my word and money.
Even with my bad credit as a result of being unemployed for six months and the dispute with Verizon, I was able to buy a house - but I had to do it through a credit union, regular banks wouldn't touch me.
I have two more payments and it is paid off, never having missed a payment.
Congrats on almost having paid off your home. Out of curiosity, what interest rate did you have to pay for the mortgage?