Mortgage Rates Increase Slightly This Week, Average 30 Year Rates at 4.35%

Last Friday's employment report which was stronger than expected so mortgage rates and bond rates are slightly higher this week as a result. 10 year bond yields moved up from 2.68 percent a week ago Monday to 2.80 percent on Friday after February's nonfarm payroll report was released. During that time, average 30 year mortgage rates increased 11 basis points from 4.24 percent to the current average of 4.35 percent.

The February employment report showed the strongest job growth in 3 months despite the cold weather, also giving hope that momentum is building in job growth as we head into spring. 175,000 jobs were created in February, higher than the expected number of 165,000. The unemployment rate ticked up 0.1 percent to 6.7 percent. Consensus estimates expected the rate to decline to 6.5 percent.

As the economy improves and the unemployment rate drops, both bond yields and mortgage rates will move higher. Forecasts are for higher mortgage rates in 2014. By the end of the year, average 30 year mortgage rates will move towards 5.00 percent.