Mortgage rates tick up to 2.9%, still at historic lows

SILVERSPRING, MD. » U.S. average rates on long-term mortgages rose slightly this week but remain at historically low levels. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the average rate on the 30-year home loan edged up to 2.90% from 2.87% lastweek. The average rate on the 15-year fixed-rate mortgage also rose, to 2.40% from 2.35% last week.