Mortgage rates inched up at the start of the year to the highest level in nearly six months, portending another tough year for the U.S. housing market. The 30-year mortgage rate remains at the highest level since July 2024. It averaged 6.91% as of Jan. 2, according to data released by Freddie Mac on Thursday.

Mortgage rates are climbing again, in yet another unwelcome sign to homebuyers. The standard, 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged just shy of 7% in the final week of 2024 ending on January 2, according to data from mortgage financing giant Freddie Mac.

Mortgage rates climbed again for a third consecutive week to the since since July, with the 30-year fixed-rate average rising to just under 7% as the housing market remains stalled.

Mortgage rates rose again last week, leaving them near 7% to start the year. The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose to 6.91% in the week through Wednesday, from 6.85% as of Dec. 26, according to Freddie Mac data.