Interest rates on a 30-year mortgage fell slightly again this week from 4.99% to 4.98%, keeping the rates above the record low set in December of 2009. According to mortgage giant Freddie Mac, last year at this time the interest rates were as high as 5.10%.

While the FED is continuing to pump $1.25 trillion into mortgage backed securities, the program is scheduled to end during the spring of this year. The low interest rates are very attractive to homeowners looking to refinance, as well as new homebuyers, who also may be eligible for the $8,000 tax credit.

Freddie Mac collects the mortgage rates throughout the nation on a weekly basis, as interest rates are so closely tied to treasury yields they are subject to change rapidly.