The average rate on a 30-year mortgage eased this week to the lowest level in 15 months — welcome relief for home shoppers navigating a housing market that remains out of reach for many Americans.

The rate fell to 6.46% from 6.49% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. A year ago, the rate averaged 7.23%.

The average rate is now the lowest it’s been since mid-May last year, when it was 6.39%.

Borrowing costs on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages also fell this week, good news for homeowners seeking to refinance their home loan at a lower rate. The average rate fell to 5.62% from 5.66% last week. A year ago, it averaged 6.55%, Freddie Mac said.

Mortgage rates are expected to continue trending lower overall this year, as signs of waning inflation and a cooling job market have raised expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut its benchmark interest rate next month for the first time in four years.

“Although mortgage rates have stayed relatively flat over the past couple of weeks, softer incoming economic data suggest rates will gently slope downward through the end of the year,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist.