Average rates on 30-year fixed mortgages fall to 4.56 pct., lowest level since mid-1950s

Summary Box: Mortgage rates hit low at 4.56 pct.

RATES FALL AGAIN: Mortgage company Freddie Mac said the average rate for 30-year fixed loans this week was 4.56 percent, down from 4.57 last week.

LOWEST IN DECADES, AGAIN: The week’s average rate was the lowest since Freddie Mac began tracking rates in 1971 and marked the fourth time in five weeks rates set a record.

REFINANCING SHOWS LIFE: Brokers reported increased refinancing activity as homeowners sought to lower their monthly payments. Still, the activity is 40 percent lower than the beginning of 2009 when rates were at 5 percent.