Fixed mortgage rates continued an upward climb this week, with the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage starting the year more than a full percentage point higher than last year at this time, Freddie Mac reports in its weekly mortgage survey. 

"Mortgage rates edged up to begin the year on signs of a stronger economic recovery,” says Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. 

Freddie Mac reports the following national averages for mortgage rates for the week ending Jan. 2: 

• 30-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 4.53 percent, with an average 0.8 point, up from last week’s 4.48 percent average. Last year at this time, 30-year rates averaged 3.34 percent. 
• 15-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 3.55 percent, with an average 0.7 point, rising from last week’s 3.52 percent average. A year ago, 15-year rates averaged 2.64 percent. 
• 5-year hybrid adjustable rate mortgages: averaged 3.05 percent, with an average 0.4 point, rising from last week’s 3 percent average. Last year at this time, 5-year ARMs averaged 2.71 percent. 
• 1-year ARMs: averaged 2.56 percent, with an average 0.5 point, holding the same average as last week. A year ago, 1-year ARMs averaged 2.57 percent. 

Source: Freddie Mac