Freddie Mac released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey Thursday showing lower mortgage rates for both long- and short-term rates. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.77 percent with an average 0.8 point for the week ending January 6, down from last week when it averaged 4.86 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 5.09 percent. The 15-year FRM this week averaged 4.13 percent with an average 0.8 point, down from last week when it averaged 4.20 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 4.50 percent. “Mortgage rates began the new year a little lower this week and remained below those at the start of 2010, which should help aid the recovery in the housing market,” says Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist, Freddie Mac.