The average rate on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages was 6.24 percent, down sharply from last week's rate of 6.34 percent, Freddie Mac, the mortgage giant, reported Thursday in its weekly nationwide survey. Last week's rate was the highest in a year.

A year ago, rates on 30-year mortgages averaged 6.22 percent, 15- year mortgages were 5.63 percent and one-year adjustable mortgages stood at 4.39 percent.

AWARD . . . Jackie Simon, an associate broker with Avery-Hess Realtors in Gaithersburg, was named Realtor of the Year by the Greater Capital Area Association of Realtors. Simon was recognized for outstanding longtime service to the association and larger community. A member of the association's public policy committee, Simon earlier this year was named a Hometown Hero by the National Association of Realtors.