Only 16% of industry experts polled this week by Bankrate.com expect a rate increase over the short term, but the rest are divided (42% each) on whether they’ll fall further or stay roughly the same.

The average rates on fixed mortgage in the United State dipped to near record lows this week, offering Americans more incentive to buy homes or refinance.

According to mortgage buyer Freddie Mac on Thursday, the average rate on a 30-year loan decreased to 3.32 percent, compared to 3.34 percent the previous week. Dating to 1971, the lowest rate recorded was 3.31 percent.

Mortgage rates are expected to remain low, most industry experts believe. Just 16 percent of the industry experts polled this week by Bankrate.com project a rate increase in the short term. The remaining experts who were polled were split at 42 percent each about whether rates will slip lower or remain about the same.

Freddie Mac reported that the average on a 15-year fixed mortgage decreased from 2.67 percent to 2.66 percent last week. The record low for a 15-year fixed mortgage is 2.63 percent.

These figures have helped spur a modest housing market recovery as the sales of new and previously occupied homes are higher this year compared to a year ago. Home prices have also risen, and builders are increasing the volume of new home construction.

“Consumers appear to be more confident in the market based on what we have been seeing in recent weeks,” said Estelia Mesimer a real estate consultant with Keller Williams Realty in St. Petersburg. “For example, last week we listed and sold a house within one day, and we also landed a contract on a home that did not even hit the MLS.”

For more information on Estelia Mesimer and her team, and to learn more about the high-end homes she represents, visit www.estelia.com.

You can reach Estelia at (727) 686-2859 and at estelia@estelia.com. Her office is located in downtown St. Petersburg at 111 2^nd Ave. NE., Suite 400.