DELRAY BEACH — Mortgage rates moved sharply higher over the past week, largely because of a stronger-than-expected jobs report from the Labor Department. But don't be surprised if they come a tumblin' down once more.

Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey found the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage jumping to 4.12 percent with 0.8 point from 3.94 percent a week earlier. Last week’s average was the lowest ever for the 30-year.

"An employment report that was better than market expectations helped to lift long-term Treasury bond yields and mortgage rates as well,” Freddie Mac Chief Economist Frank Nothaft said. “The economy added 103,000 workers in September, aided by the return of striking Verizon workers. In addition, revisions to July and August figures added a total of 99,000 jobs to payrolls. However, these job gains are still not large enough to bring down the current unemployment rate of 9.1 percent."

Bankrate’s national mortgage survey produced similar results, with the average 30-year jumping to 4.37 percent with 0.4 point from 4.21 percent.

The 15-year fixed-rate moved higher in both surveys as well, hitting 3.37 percent with 0.8 point this week compared to 3.26 percent a week ago, according to Freddie Mac. Bankrate had the 15-yar averaging 3.59 percent with 0.35 point, up from 3.46 percent a week ago.

Bankrate noted that investor optimism that Europe has a handle on their debt issues also acted to push government bond yields and mortgage rates higher. Bankrate also noted that the situation remains volatile; all it takes is a hiccup in Europe or disappointing earnings or economic news on this side of the Atlantic, and mortgage rates will head right back down.

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