Mortgage rates drifted lower this week, according to figures released Friday by Freddie Mac. The government-sponsored mortgage entity said 30-year fixed mortgage rates fell to 4.39 percent, from 4.41 percent a week ago. Meanwhile, 15-year fixed mortgage rates averaged 3.45 percent, down from last week’s 3.56 percent.
Falling bond yields were largely responsible for the declines. Tepid inflation readings and the dismal December jobs report have sent yields tumbling since the start of the year.