Average US 30-year mortgage rate rises to 3.45 percent


              FILE - In this Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2016, file photo, town homes stand under construction as a pedestrian walks along the BeltLine in Atlanta. On Thursday, July 21, 2016, Freddie Mac reports on the week's average U.S. mortgage rates. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)
FILE - In this Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2016, file photo, town homes stand under construction as a pedestrian walks along the BeltLine in Atlanta. On Thursday, July 21, 2016, Freddie Mac reports on the week's average U.S. mortgage rates. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) - Long-term U.S. mortgage rates edged higher this week, remaining near historically low levels as a continued enticement to prospective homebuyers.

Mortgage giant Freddie Mac says the average for the benchmark 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose to 3.45 percent from 3.42 percent last week. The average rate is down sharply from 4.04 percent a year ago.

The 15-year fixed mortgage rate increased to 2.75 percent from 2.72 percent last week.

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