Yahoo! Finance reports that mortgage rates have dropped for an eighth consecutive week. Freddie Mac says the average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage dropped to 4.49 percent from 4.55 percent the previous week, and the 15-year mortgage fell from 3.74 percent to 3.68 percent, and both are at year’s lowest. However, the tougher lending requirements prevent people from taking advantage of the lower rates. Most analysts think home prices will continue to fall through the year, which in turn will keep buyers from investing in property that may immediately lose value.