AVERAGE MORTGAGE RATES DECLINE; 30-YEAR AT 4.59%

Long-term U.S. mortgage rates are down this week amid a restrained homebuying season this summer. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac says the average rate on 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages slipped to 4.59 percent from 4.60 percent last week. The average rate on 15-year, fixed-rate loans fell to 4.05 percent this week from 4.08 percent last week.