Fixed-rate home mortgages have fallen below 10%...

Fixed-rate home mortgages have fallen below 10% for the first time since last April, according to a nationwide survey of rates released by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. According to the report, the nationwide average for 30-year, conventional fixed-rate mortgages declined to 9.94% from 10.16% last week. It was the lowest level for this rate since April 10, when rates were at 9.43%. Turmoil in financial markets stemming from investor fears about declines in the value of the dollar pushed up rates for most of last year, with fixed-rate mortgages hitting a high of 11.58% in mid-October. The survey said rates for adjustable-rate mortgages fell as well this week, dropping to 7.64% from 7.74% last week.