The average rate for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage dropped to 6.35% on August 29 from 6.46% a week ago, the lowest mortgage rates have been in 15 months, according to Freddie Mac. "I bought a house when [the mortgage rate] was 15% and then I refinanced." "No bank is ever going to give you a true no closing cost loan at the lowest possible rate. And buying with the goal of refinancing is always taking a gamble on mortgage rates, which comes with a certain amount of risk. Even though recent declines in mortgage rates may gain steam as the Fed lowers its benchmark rate, lower mortgage rates could also boost homebuying demand, which would push prices higher.

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Persons: Freddie Mac, Jacob Channel, Dottie Herman, Douglas Elliman, I've, Melissa Cohn, William Raveis, Banks, Cohn, Keith Gumbinger, Michael Krowe, Krowe Organizations: Brigade, Getty, Federal, LendingTree, Fed, William Raveis Mortgage, HSH.com, Edelman Locations: New York