A higher-than-expected drop in home sales last month — they dropped 3.7% year over year to 5.48 million — has helped to keep mortgage interest rates low, though that’s both good news and bad news. As the number of available homes for sale declines, inventory shrinks (last month it dropped 6.4% year over year) and home prices rise — that’s the bad news. However, in response, it appears lenders are easing their rates to help the average home-buyer overcome the higher prices.