Mortgage Rates in US Drop for First Time Since Early February

  • Borrowing costs are a big hurdle for buyers, economist says
  • New listings are rising in sign that inventory crunch may ease

Homes in Pinole, California.

Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg
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US mortgage rates slipped for the first time in five weeks as buyers head into the traditionally busiest season for the housing market.

The average for a 30-year, fixed loan was 6.88%, down from 6.94% last week, Freddie Mac said in a statement Thursday.