Briefly

* The rate on 30-year fixed mortgages fell last week for the first time since February to 5.93% from 6.04% the week before, according to Freddie Mac. The 15-year fixed rate averaged 5.48%, down from 5.58%. The one-year adjustable rate dropped to 4.23% from 4.33%.

* Rents for apartments in the Southland are expected to rise from 3.5% to nearly 6% this year, according to a new forecast released Tuesday by USC’s Lusk Center for Real Estate.