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Mortgage rates climbed in the latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey published by Freddie Mac (OTCQB: FMCC).

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.11% as of March 12, up from last week when it averaged 6.00%. A year ago at this time, it averaged 6.65%.

The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 5.50%, up from last week when it averaged 5.43%. A year ago at this time, it averaged 5.80%.

“The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage returned to last month’s level of 6.11%,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “Despite the modest uptick, buyers are responding to rates in this range, with existing-home sales increasing 1.7% in February. Purchase applications also increased this week, a welcome sign as buyers enter spring homebuying season with rates down more than half a percentage point compared to the same time last year.”