In Freddie Mac's results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.24 percent with an average 0.5 point for the week ending February 28, 2008, up from the previous week when it averaged 6.04 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.18 percent.

The 15-year FRM averaged 5.72 percent with an average 0.5 point, up from the previous week when it averaged 5.64 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 5.92 percent.

Five-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) averaged 5.43 percent, with an average 0.4 point, up from the previous week when it averaged 5.37 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 5.93 percent.

One-year Treasury-indexed ARMs averaged 5.11 percent with an average 0.7 point, up from the previous week when it was 4.98 percent. At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 5.49 percent

"Long-term fixed mortgage rates trended up for a third week, bringing rates on 30-year and 15-year fixed-rate mortgages back to their levels of last November," said Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac vice president and chief economist. "Refinancing activities, which had surged to a 12-month high in January, according to Freddie Mac's monthly refi share report, are likely to ebb following this recent rise in rates."

New Homes: Cooking on Both Burners

If the trend has been for kitchens to extend into living areas, then doesn't it follow suit that outdoor spaces are morphing into kitchens?

According to Hanley-Wood's CustomHomeOnline, one of the most popular new trends for custom homebuyers is to make big plans for outdoor entertainment.

People are looking at outdoor spaces differently and want to turn them into something they can use year-round -- no longer the little barbecue that Dad used to roll out from the garage on the first warm spring day. Outdoor kitchens, complete with built in BBQs, sinks, cook tops, refrigerators and cabinetry have become all the rage.

In a recent analysis by the HPBA -- Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association -- this trend for outdoor kitchens is being perpetuated by a number of factors, not the least of which is the statistic that nearly 60 percent of all grill owners now cook outdoors year round (70 percent for gas grill owners).

Outdoor kitchens can include beer taps, patio heaters, halogen lighting, gas ovens, and gourmet bar and entertainment centers.

Investor Report: College and University Towns

If you're looking for a safe haven for real estate investing, you just might want to go back to school.

That's the advice from investors who specialize in buying rental houses and condos in carefully-selected major college and university towns -- especially those in areas that never experienced wild price inflation during the boom years.

Stuart Frazier, an investor and co-founder of College RealEstate.com, says buying small-scale rental properties in university communities where the underlying economic fundamentals are solid is "one of the true oasis situations out there" in residential investment.

Not only do houses and condos make financial sense for parents to buy -- often their kids live rent-free while they bring in and manage rent-paying classmates or friends -- but in the right markets, they are outstanding capital gains producers.

Bottom line, says Frazier: College town real estate is still real estate. Strong underlying local economic fundamentals are crucial. Pick close-in units within walking distance of the campus, and the odds are good that you'll have a full house -- and cash flows -- most of the year.

Green Living: Recycled Glass Is In

Consumers wanting a beautiful-looking home while also doing their part to protect the environment have myriad options for decorating their kitchen.

And those looking to replace or install their counter tops should know, marble and granite are out and recycled glass is in.

Marble looks great, especially in the hands of master sculptors, but it is a limited resource. If you are looking to build or remodel your kitchen, check out recycled glass instead.

Recycled glass surfaces look good, are unique, and come in many different colors and styles. They also last just as long as marble and granite.

Vetrazzo, a company making glass surfaces since 1996, is located in Richmond, California, and has had its counter tops showcased in the Ritz Carlton hotel in Miami south beach and on the nationally televised program "Living with Ed."

Vetrazzo uses discarded glass from sources such as decommissioned traffic lights, windshields, used bottles and plate glass windows to create their surfaces. 85 percent of their surfaces are made of glass, and 100 percent of that glass is recycled.

Vetrazzo's surfaces comes in a wide range of colors, ranging from "Alehouse Amber" to "Firehouse Red." They determine the color of the surface by using different colored glass ingredients. For instance, "Cubist Clear" surfaces are created using clear glass from recycled windows, and "Bistro Green" comes from recycled soda bottles, olive oil containers, pickle jars and wine and water bottles.

According to Vetrazzo, their product is comparable to granite and marble in scratch resistance, heat resistance and stain resistance.

And as far as price goes, James, a sales rep for North Star Services, says, with installation, Verazzo is somewhat more expensive than non-exotic marble and granite, but buyers appreciate the fact their surface is recycled and completely made in America.