The average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose to 5.72 percent this week, up from 5.67 percent a week ago, a new survey from mortgage giant Freddie Mac shows. A year ago, that rate was 6.30 percent.

At the same time, the 5-year adjustable-rate mortgage fell to 5.19 percent from 5.21 percent last week.

Recent releases of economic data have painted a mixed picture of what’s happening in the economy, Freddie Mac chief economist Frank Nothaft said in a statement.

Labor productivity rose higher than expected in the last three months of 2007, but pending sales of existing homes fell for the second month in a row in December, Nothaft said.

Historically low mortgage rates and falling home prices have improved housing affordability, he said. “However, with banks continuing to tighten lending standards, fewer families will likely have an opportunity to take advantage of these factors.”

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