The average conforming 30-year fixed mortgage was up slightly this week to 5.04 percent, according to Bankrate.com's weekly national survey. The average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.43 discount and origination points.

The average 15-year fixed mortgage was a notch higher at 4.47 percent while the larger jumbo 30-year fixed rate slipped to 6.00 percent. Adjustable rate mortgages were also higher, with the average 3-year ARM rising to 4.81 percent and the 5-year ARM climbing to 4.55 percent.

Even though mortgage rates increased slightly this week, they're still within striking distance of record lows. Even a better-than-expected employment report couldn't lift mortgage rates by any appreciable fashion. The Federal Reserve continues to sing the same tune about keeping interest rates low for an extended period of time, credit markets remain on edge about potential defaults in emerging markets such as Greece, and sufficient skepticism exists that the November employment report could be a one-hit wonder. Each of these helps keep a lid on the long-term Treasury yields to which mortgage rates are closely related.

Mortgage rates are three-quarters of a percentage point lower than one year ago. This time last year, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 5.80 percent, meaning a $200,000 loan would have carried a monthly payment of $1,173.51. With the average rate now 5.04 percent, the monthly payment for the same size loan would be $1,078.54, a savings of $95 per month for a homeowner refinancing now.

SURVEY RESULTS

30-year fixed: 5.04% - up from 5.01% last week (avg. points: 0.43)

15-year fixed: 4.47% - up from 4.46% last week (avg. points: 0.32)

5/1 ARM: 4.55% - up from 4.52% last week (avg. points: 0.32)