US Mortgage Rates Reach Highest Levels Since August

Diane Swonk, chief economist at KPMG, told Bloomberg Markets that U.S. mortgage rates have risen to their highest levels since August. The average rate on 30‑year fixed‑rate mortgages climbed from 6.36% to 6.51%, marking the largest weekly increase since the end of March. According to data released by Freddie Mac, the rise comes as the housing market is expected to enter a "spring selling" season, but higher rates are likely to dampen the momentum. Elevated borrowing costs can suppress demand by raising the cost of credit for buyers. Economic indicators suggest that inflationary pressure remains and that the central bank may tighten policy further. In this context, volatility in the mortgage market is a critical factor that directly influences consumer spending and housing demand. This is not investment advice.