US 30-year fixed-rate mortgage flirts with 7%
U.S. mortgage rates jumped to a six-month high this week, suggesting that a recent improvement in home sales could be temporary. The average rate on the popular 30-year fixed-rate mortgage increased to 6.91%, the highest level since early July, from 6.85% last week, mortgage finance agency Freddie Mac said on Thursday. "Compared to this time last year, rates are elevated and the market's affordability headwinds persist," said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist.