Long-term mortgage interest rates declined for the fifth consecutive week, breathing some hope back into the potential buyer market, according to Freddie Mac. During the week ended February 20, the average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage slipped to 6.85%, down from 6.87% the week before and down from 6.90% a year ago. The 30-year average has been under 7% for the past five weeks and has stayed within a tight 20 basis point range, hopefully providing some stability for refinancers and buyers.