By ALEX VEIGA, Associated PressThe average long-term U.S. mortgage rate edged up for the second week in a row, but remains just above its lowest level in more than three years. The benchmark 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate rose to 6.1% from 6.09% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. Mortgage rates are influenced by several factors, from the Federal Reserve’s interest rate policy decisions to bond market investors’ expectations for the economy and inflation. Mortgage rates have also moved higher in recent weeks as the bond market reacted to geopolitical tensions. Mortgage applications overall fell 8.5% last week from a week earlier, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.