U.S. mortgage rates fell again in the past week, with the average rate on 30-year and 15-year fixed-rate mortgages furthering record lows, according to Freddie Mac's weekly survey of mortgage rates.

Rates have remained at or near record lows as the Treasury market has rallied amid stock-market volatility. A rally in Treasurys pushes yields lower, and mortgage rates generally track those yields.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.54% for the week ended Thursday, down from the prior week's 4.56% and 5.25% a year ago. The rate sits at the lowest point since Freddie began tracking it in 1971.

Rates on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages were 4%, down from 4.03% and 4.69%, respectively. It is at the lowest point since 1991, when Freddie started tracking it.

Five-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages averaged 3.76%, lower than the prior week's 3.79% and 4.75% a year earlier. One-year Treasury-indexed ARMs were 3.64%, down from 3.7% and 4.80%, respectively. The latest figure is the lowest since Freddie started following that loan type in 1984.

To obtain the rates, the mortgages required payment of an average 0.7 point. A point is 1% of the mortgage amount, charged as prepaid interest.

So what does this mean for Coeur d'Alene home buyers? The general consensus is that rates are going to rise by the end of the year; however, even if rates begin a slight uptick, they will still be dramatically lower than only two years ago. The fact remains, however, that now is a great time to buy your dream home in Coeur d'Alene!