https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/highest-mortgage-rates-in-3-years-chills-the-housing-marketContinuously updated, source-cited coverage. https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/highest-mortgage-rates-in-3-years-chills-the-housing-markethttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/highest-mortgage-rates-in-3-years-chills-the-housing-market#u122154Wed, 14 Oct 2026 14:26:38 +0000US mortgage rates reached their highest level in nearly three years, pushing borrowing costs up and further squeezing prospective homebuyers. The average rate for a 30-year fixed home loan climbed to 7.4 percent for the week ending October 8, according to Freddie Mac survey data. This surge marks the seventh consecutive week of rising rates, hitting levels not seen since November 2023. As affordability worsens, both purchase and refinance applications have fallen sharply, pushing mortgage applications down to their lowest level since February 2025 and sidelining first-time buyers.Why it matter