US mortgage rates fell for the second straight week, with the average 30-year fixed rate dropping to 7.24% from 7.32% last week and 7.40% two weeks ago, according to Freddie Mac. The decline follows a retreat in 10-year Treasury yields, partly driven by investors shifting from technology stocks into government bonds. However, mortgage rates remain more than one percentage point above year-ago levels, weighing on housing affordability and demand.