Mortgage Rates Largely Up

Mortgage rates were mostly higher again this week as long-dated Treasury yields continued to increase, according to Freddie Mac's (FRE) weekly survey of mortgage rates, released Thursday.

Mortgage rates had fallen in recent months as providers try to entice buyers amid the housing market downturn. But many consumers are wary of making the commitment to purchase a home - and many prospective buyers face challenges getting financing amid the tight credit market.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.91% for the week ended Thursday, up from last week's 4.82% average and down from 6.08% a year ago. Rates on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages were 4.53%, compared with 4.50% and 5.66%, respectively.

Five-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages averaged 4.82%, up from 4.79% last week and well below their 5.62% average a year ago. One-year Treasury-indexed ARMs were 4.69%, down from 4.82% and 5.22%, respectively.