With improved November pending home sales, an increase in consumer confidence in December and higher home prices, “mortgage rates edged up to begin the year on signs of a stronger economic recovery,” said Freddie Mac Vice President and Chief Economist Frank Nothaft.

Fixed mortgage rates moved higher with a 30-year fixed rate mortgage averaging 4.53 percent, up from 4.48 percent last week and 15-year fixed rates averaging 3.55 percent, up from 3.52 percent, according to Freddie Mac’s latest release.