NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Mortgage rates eased the week ended Aug. 17, with the average 30-year fixed mortgage pulling back modestly to 6 percent, down from 6.05 percent the week prior.

"When the Fed raises short term rates, it doesn't necessarily mean that mortgage rates will rise." said Mavel Vargas, manager of mortgage lending research at Informa Research Services, Inc. "Mortgage rates have dropped slightly this week."

The benchmark mortgage rate stood at 6.16 percent a month earlier, according to Informa Research Services, and had a range of 5.22 percent to 7 percent for the week ended Aug. 17.

Weekly rates information • Mortgage rates seep lower • Credit card rates little changed • Savings rates hold steady

The average 15-year fixed mortgage rate slipped an average of 5.4 percent, down slightly from 5.48 percent the previous week, with a range of 4.69 percent to 6.99 percent. Rates stood at 5.57 percent a month earlier.

Adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) dipped to a 4.77 percent average from 4.84 percent the week prior, with a range of 2.99 percent to 7.09 percent. ARM rates stood at 4.81 percent a month earlier.

Below are the rates for three key mortgage products from five top national mortgage lenders. You can compare rates from more institutions with the rate-search tool above.

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