The average rate on a 30-year mortgage in the U.S. eased for the third week in a row, a smidgen of relief for prospective home shoppers getting into the market before the busy spring homebuying season starts.

Freddie Mac reports its Primary Mortgage Market Survey shows the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.89%, pulling back from the 7% level. “The 30-yea

Rates on 15-year new purchase loans fell even more significantly last week, plunging 16 basis points to average 5.98% Friday. Like 30-year loans, 15-year rates sank to a two-year low in September, dropping as far as 4.97% (though the lowest Friday weekly average was 5.07%).