Mortgage Rates in U.S. Rise to Highest in Four Months

Mortgage Rates in U.S. Rise to Highest in Four Months By Brian Louis Dec. 31 (Bloomberg) -- Mortgage rates in the U.S. rose to the highest since August, raising the prospect that the budding housing recovery will stall as home buying becomes more costly. The rate for 30-year fixed U.S. home loans rose to 5.14 percent for the week ended today from 5.05 percent, mortgage finance company Freddie Mac said. That’s the fourth consecutive weekly increase. A record low of 4.71 percent was reached in the week ended Dec. 3. This week’s average 15-year rate was 4.54 percent, the McLean, Virginia-based company said today in a statement.