Money

Mortgage rates have climbed to their highest level in two months, sending a ripple effect through the housing market. As of April 17, the average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage was 6.83%, up from 6.62% just a week earlier. According to Freddie Mac, this represents the largest one-week increase in nearly a year. For months, interest rates on home loans had been on a steady decline, which likely encouraged many potential buyers to dip their toes into the market as the busy spring homebuying season began. However, the volatile trade war between the United States and China, exacerbated by President Donald Trump's unpredictable tariff policies, has had a disruptive impact on financial markets. This uncertainty led to a significant sell-off in US bonds last week, which in turn affec...