A national association of mortgage professionals said lower rates are attracting applications, although in the Inland region, opinions on what that means are mixed.

Mortgage rates around the country fell this week, with rates on 30-year mortgages dipping to the second-lowest level of the year, pushed down by further economic weakness.

Mortgage giant Freddie Mac reported Thursday that 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages averaged 6.11 percent, down from 6.14 percent last week. The only time rates have been lower this year was the week of Jan. 19, when the 30-year mortgage dipped to 6.10 percent.

The Mortgage Bankers Association on Wednesday said loan applications were 8 percent higher last week and up 1.9 percent from the same week in 2005.

Some Inland mortgage brokers have noticed an unseasonable pick-up in refinancing and home-purchase activity. Others deny their business has as yet benefited from declining interest rates on fixed-rate mortgages, although they see hope for a better year in 2007.

Brian Weide, vice president and brand manager for SunStar Mortgage in Ontario said he has noticed a jump in new-loan applications for about six weeks. Such a surge of business in December is unusual, he said, because of the distractions of the holidays.

Weide said the fixed rate on a 30-year mortgage has been trending down since late June when it peaked at 6.75 percent, with a 1 percent origination fee. On Thursday, he said, the best fixed rate he had was 5.625 percent.

Weide said he is getting more applications for refinancing mortgages from adjustable to fixed rates. Fixed rates now are almost as low as rates that can move higher , he said .

At Corona Mortgage, Kathleen Weber, a senior loan officer, and Nancy Herrera, a broker associate, said they have seen a surge of interest in home-buying and refinancing .

"I have a lot of buyers wanting to get into their new homes by Christmas, along with cash-out refinances for people who had gotten themselves a bit overextended," Herrera added.

Alan Nevin, chief economist for the California Building Industry Association, said he hasn't heard of new-home sales increases. "It is quiet out there. It is the end of the year."

But Bob Yoder, president of Shea Homes' Inland division, said "We have had significantly better sales in the last four weeks and we are hoping it is a trend."

John Marcell, owner of Better Mortgage Brokers in Upland, said he hasn't seen a pick-up in refinancing or home buying. "I think spring will tell the tale," Marcell said.