WASHINGTON -- For the first time since March, the average for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages is just above 6 percent.

Freddie Mac's weekly survey found that the closely followed benchmark moved from 5.98 percent last week to 6.03 percent this week.

A competing survey by Bankrate.com had the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage increasing from 6.07 percent to 6.1 percent.

The finance giant's chief economist, Frank Nothaft, said higher energy costs and solid growth will likely help drive long-term rates higher in the coming months.

Nothaft predicted that the 30-year mortgage could hit 6.4 percent in early 2006.

On the 15-year mortgage, the average was 5.62 percent, up from 5.54 percent.

The average of one-year adjustable mortgages is put at 4.85 percent, compared to 4.77 percent last week.

The Federal Reserve last month decided to raise interest rates for an 11th time, citing fears about inflation.