U.S. Mortgage Rates Rise to Highest Level Since Last August

The U.S. mortgage rates have risen to their highest level since last August this week, which is undoubtedly another piece of bad news for homebuyers, and this period is usually the busiest time of the year for real estate sales. Mortgage giant Freddie Mac stated on Thursday that the average interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose to 6.51% this week, higher than the 6.36% recorded last week.

In addition, rising costs of homeowners insurance and property taxes in many regions have also discouraged buyers. The increase in mortgage rates this year has reversed the downward trend observed since the second half of 2025. Nonetheless, current mortgage rates remain lower than a year ago, and some buyers are also entering the market while it is quiet. According to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association, mortgage applications for home purchases decreased compared to the previous week but rose by 8% year-over-year.