Mortgage rates have edged higher, reaching their highest point in three weeks. This increase is adding pressure to the already sluggish U.S. housing market. Total mortgage application volume saw a slight decrease from the previous week. Refinancing applications dropped, and home purchase demand also weakened. Affordability pressures continue to weigh on both buyers and sellers.

Mortgage rates rose again last week causing demand for both refinances and purchase loans to drop. Rates climbed to their highest level in three weeks.

The 30-year fixed rate climbed to 6.78%, pushing refinance demand down 2% and purchase applications down 0.3%