Long-term mortgage rates remain at historically low levels

WASHINGTON -- U.S. long-term mortgage rates were little changed this week, remaining at historically low levels to prospective homebuyers.

Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac says the average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage ticked up to 3.74% from 3.73% last week. The benchmark rate stood at 4.55% a year ago.

The average rate on a 15-year mortgage was 3.19%, unchanged from last week.

For the year, the average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was 3.9%, the fourth-lowest annual rate since Freddie Mac began the survey in 1971.