The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances ($647,200 or less) increased to 4.50% from 4.27%. Mortgage applications to purchase a home fell 2% for the week and were 12% lower than the same week one year ago. Re-financing is down 15% for the month and down 54% for the year. Mortgage applications are down 2% for the week and 12% for the year. (CNBC)