510 Credit Score Mortgage

At 510 you are ten points off the floor and seventy short of the score that changes everything. The path is the same as 500, with a touch more room.

By Onias Derilus, Mortgage Capital · NMLS# 1859012 · Last Updated: June 2026

A 510 credit score puts you in the FHA-with-10%-down band, same as a 500. Conventional, VA, and USDA are still out of reach. The real story at 510 is the 70-point climb to 580, where your FHA down payment drops from 10% to 3.5%. That single move is worth far more than buying right now.

What 510 Qualifies For

FHA allows 500 to 579 with 10% down, so 510 sits in the same bracket as the floor. The program permits it, but most Florida lenders overlay at 580 and decline below that. You need a lender that writes to the FHA minimum, plus a clean recent payment record.

At 510 you are slightly more attractive than a 500 because you have a little more history working in your favor, but the down payment rule does not budge until 580. Treat 510 as a starting line, not a finish.

Close the Gap to 580

Seventy points sounds like a lot, but a 510 usually has a few clear drags: a collection or two, a maxed card, or a recent late. Clearing the worst one and paying revolving balances under 30% of the limit can move the needle in a couple of months.

We pull your report, point at the two or three items doing the most damage, and tell you whether 580 is a 90-day project or longer. Buying at 510 with 10% down rarely beats waiting a few months for the 3.5% door to open.

510 Credit Score Mortgage — FAQ