Most changes on the mortgage front today were for the worse, albeit slightly. Rates inched up 0.02% to 0.03% nearly across the board. The lone exception was the 15-year fixed refinance loan, which eased 0.01% to 3.13%.

The shorter-term refinance alternative remains the lowest-cost loan of the various types available.

Here are today's average mortgage rates across the U.S., along with where they stood a month ago:

Mortgage Type

Mortgage Rates Today

Mortgage Rates 1 month ago

30-year fixed jumbo

4.47%

4.46%

30-year fixed

3.96%

3.94%

15-year fixed

3.15%

3.14%

30-year fixed refinance

3.94%

3.94%

15-year fixed refinance

3.13%

3.17%

5/1 ARM

3.22%

3.14%

5/1 ARM refinance

3.36%

3.32%

Data source: Bloomberg. National average rates which may include points.

Even after today's minute increase in most loan rates, mortgage shoppers continue to enjoy historically low rates. For some perspective, here are the average mortgage rates from May, 2007.

Mortgage Type

Mortgage Rates May 2007

30-year fixed

6.26%

15-year fixed

5.97%

1-year ARM

5.52%

5/1 ARM

5.98%

Data source: Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac). Rates do not include points.

For current homeowners researching a home equity line of credit (HELOC) or equity loan, the strong housing market continues to work wonders. HELOC rates eased a basis point to 5.28%, while equity loan rates held steady at 5.29%. A month ago HELOCs were at 5.23%, and equity loans were at 5.31%.