News Summary: 30-year loan rate stays at 3.53 pct. Associated Press Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Published 10:57 am, Thursday, February 7, 2013 The average U.S. rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage was unchanged this week near historic lows, while the average rate on the 15-year loan fell. Cheap mortgages are encouraging more people to buy homes and refinance, trends that could help boost the economy this year.