Rates on 30-year new purchase mortgages dropped for a sixth day Thursday, ticking down 1 basis point to an average of 6.59%. In the past six days, the flagship rate has shed 24 points. The current average of 6.59% establishes a new low point for this year.

Rates on 30-year new purchase mortgages dropped for a fifth day Thursday, slipping another 3 basis points to create a week-long decline of 23 points. The current average of 6.60% establishes a new low point for this year, with the last time rates were cheaper being two weeks before Christmas.