Mortgage rates dropped last week, but, this week, there appears to be more reasons for rates to rise than fall. Plan accordingly.

For just the second time in 2011, conforming mortgage rates fell on a week-to-week basis.

According to Freddie Mac, mortgage rates made their largest 1-week jump in more than a year last week, tacking on 0.24 percent and bringing the average national 30-year fixed mortgage rate up to 5.05%. In some markets, rates are even higher.

Mortgage rates rose for the 4th time in 5 weeks last week, extending a losing streak which dates back 4 months. This week, they should do the same.

Mortgage markets improved this week as positive economic data was overshadowed by geopolitical strife. A flight-to-quality drove buy-side activity in mortgage bond markets, which, in turn, helped conforming rates fall.

Mortgage markets worsened last week in a holiday-shortened trading week. For the second straight week, conforming and FHA mortgage rates increased.

Mortgage markets worsened last week on a turn-around in sentiment across the Eurozone. The sort of “safe haven” buying that had buoyed mortgage bonds since the New Year dissipated, and mortgage rates resumed climbing.

Mortgage markets gained last week. Demand for mortgage-backed bonds outweighed supply and conforming and FHA mortgage rates edged lower.

Mortgage markets improved last week during a snow- and holiday-thinned series of sessions on Wall Street. This week, it’s back to normal.

Mortgage markets worsened again last week as the holiday-shortened sessions did little to buck recent momentum.