30-YEAR FIXED MORTGAGE RATES NOW AT 4.81%

Mortgage giant Freddie Mac said Thursday the average rate on the benchmark 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage held steady at 4.81 percent this week. That compares with 3.90 percent a year ago. The rate on 15-year fixed-rate loans edged up to 4.25 percent from 4.24 percent the previous week. Mortgage rates were pushed sharply lower last week by tumbling oil prices and a sliding stock market. But they have increased over the past year amid a strong economy and anxiety over rising interest rates.