U.S. mortgage rates fall for second week

WASHINGTON, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- Interest rates for 30-year, fixed-rate U.S. mortgages declined slightly in the last week, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. said Thursday.

The 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.14 percent with an average 0.7 points in the week ending Nov. 13, Freddie Mac said.

A week ago, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages averaged 6.2 percent. A year ago, 30-year fixed rate mortgages averaged 6.24 percent.

Rates for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages also declined, falling to 5.81 percent with an average 0.7 points from the previous week's average of 5.88 percent. A year ago, 15-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 5.88 percent, the report said.

"Long-term mortgage rates fell slightly this week as signs the overall economy is weakening brought interest rates down market-wide," said Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac vice president and chief economist.

"In addition, the actions of the Fed in recent weeks to assist commercial paper markets appear to be thawing part of the credit freeze that has gripped capital markets in the United States, giving banks some breathing room," he said, noting rates for fixed-rate mortgages have fallen two consecutive weeks.