Briefly
From Times wire reports
* The average rate on 30-year fixed mortgages fell to 5.63% last week from 5.66% the previous week, according to Freddie Mac. One-year adjustable rates averaged 4.23%, up from 4.18%.
* Applications to refinance U.S. home loans came back strongly in the week ended Jan. 28 as consumers rushed to take advantage of persistently low mortgage rates, the Mortgage Bankers Assn. said.
