If buying a new home is on your list of goals in the New Year, don't let talk of rising mortgage rates derail your plans just yet. As the economy recovers, the Federal Reserve tapers, and home values rise, experts predict we are well on our way to seeing mortgage rates crack 5% in late 2014. Rates for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgages already hit 4.69% this week, up from 4.63% the week prior, according Bankrate.com. In May, the 30-year rate was 3.52%. Fifteen-year fixed mortgages were up as well, from 3.70% last week to 3.73% this week.