30-year mortgage rates fall

Average U.S. rates on fixed mortgages fell for the third straight week to their lowest point in three months as a decline in consumer confidence and the onset of the government shutdown forced rates down.

Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac says the average rate on the 30-year loan fell to 4.22 percent from 4.32 percent last week. The average on the 15-year fixed mortgage declined to 3.29 percent from 3.37 percent.