Average U.S. rates on fixed mortgages rose slightly this week but remained near historically low levels.

Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac says the average rate for the 30-year loan ticked up to 4.41 percent from 4.40 percent last week. The average for the 15-year mortgage increased to 3.47 percent from 3.42 percent.

Mortgage rates have risen about a full percentage point since hitting record lows about a year ago.

A report released Tuesday by real estate data provider CoreLogic showed U.S. home prices rose in February from a year earlier at a solid pace, suggesting that a tight supply of available homes is boosting prices despite slowing sales.

Most economists expect home sales to rebound as the weather improves and the spring buying season begins.