Average US rate on 30-year mortgage rises to 3.51 per cent; 15-year up to 2.69 per cent

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In this Monday, May 6, 2013, photo, a home is for sale in Mt. Lebanon, Pa. Freddie Mac reports on mortgage rates for this week on Thursday, May 16, 2013. T (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

WASHINGTON – Average U.S. rates on fixed mortgages rose this week but stayed near their historic lows. Cheaper mortgages have helped the economy by spurring more home-buying and refinancing.

Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac says the average rate for the 30-year loan increased to 3.51 per cent from 3.42 per cent last week. That’s still near the average of 3.31 per cent reached in November, the lowest on records dating to 1971.

The average on the 15-year loan rose to 2.69 per cent. That’s up from 2.61 per cent last week, which was the lowest on records going back to 1991.

Low mortgage rates have helped sustained the housing recovery that began last year. Home sales and construction are up from a year ago, and prices are rising in most U.S. markets.

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