weichert's v.p. dominick prevete says business has steadily improved in the last six months, thanks to falling home prices. customers are sensitive to mortgage rates, but he says if anything this month's increase is actually stimulating sales. >> the fear of a high rate is what motivates people to purchase. so, in some ways probably there's an incentive for purchasers to buy before they feel rates go up significantly higher. >> reporter: many experts had expected rates to rise once the federal reserve stopped buying mortgage debt at the end of march. and while rates did climb, it turns out we can't blame the fed, at least not yet. instead experts credit the return of job growth, and improvement in the manufacturing sector. that upbeat economic news pushed bond yields higher. mortgage rates move with bond yields, specifically the 10-year note. experts say homebuyers should keep close tabs on the bond market for clues about mortgage rates. credit suisse mortgage strategist mahesh swaminathan says mortg