RATES STAY LOW: Average U.S. rates on fixed mortgages ticked up this week to just slightly above their record lows, keeping home-buying and refinancing attractive to consumers.

THE NUMBERS: Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac says the average 30-year loan rate ticked up to 3.34 percent from 3.32 last week. That's slightly above the 3.31 percent reached two weeks ago, the lowest since 1971. The average on the 15-year fixed mortgage rose to 2.67 percent from 2.64 percent, just above to record low of 2.63 percent also reached two weeks ago

HOUSING RECOVERY: Lower mortgage rates have helped fuel a modest housing recovery.