Rates on 30-year fixed rate mortgages rose slightly last week from 4.86% to 4.87%, according to mortgage giant, Freddie Mac.

Although rates have remained below 5% for quite some time, it has done very little to stimulate the ailing real estate market. Potential homeowners have remained on the sidelines as unemployment rates continue to rise, home prices continue to fall and credit standards have remained tight.

Freddie Mac collects rates weekly Mon-Wed from lenders across the nation and as the rates are so closely tied in with long-term Treasury bonds they can change significantly even on a given day.