These are today's mortgage and refinance rates. Mortgage rates are down this week. If you're thinking about buying, now could be a good time to do so.

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Rates on 30-year new purchase mortgages dropped for a fifth day Thursday, slipping another 3 basis points to create a week-long decline of 23 points. The current average of 6.60% establishes a new low point for this year, with the last time rates were cheaper being two weeks before Christmas.

U.S. mortgage rates dropped for another consecutive week. That's the word from Freddie Mac, which released its latest data. Freddie Mac reports the 30-year fixed mortgage rate averaged 6.76% for the week ending Feb.

"This week, mortgage rates decreased to their lowest level in over two months," says Freddie Mac Chief Economist Sam Khater. "The drop in mortgage rates, combined with modestly improving inventory, is an encouraging sign for consumers in the market to buy a home."