mortgage rates rose for the third week in a row amid persistent inflation tightness in the labor market and signs of a strong economy in the week ending thursday the average rate on a 30year fixedrate mortgage rose to 65 from 632 the prior week a year ago the average rate was 389 the average 15year rate rose to 576 from 551 last week freddie mac said a year ago the 15year fixedrate mortgage rate averaged 314 the economy continues to show strength and interest rates are repricing to account for the stronger than expected growth tight labor market and the threat of sticky inflation said sam khater freddie macs chief economist our research shows that rate dispersion increases as mortgage rates trend up this means homebuyers can potentially save 600 to 1200 annually by taking the time to shop among lenders to find a better rate