The average rate on a 30-year mortgage rose to 6.44% this week, Freddie Mac says, the highest level in 8 weeks.

Mortgage rates climbed again for a third straight week, further dinging demand as the housing market continues to suffer from an affordability crisis.

A strong economy drove mortgage rates higher in the past week but it's still an advantageous market for consumers in some ways, according to Freddie Mac.

Long-term mortgage rates rose for the third consecutive week, the latest Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey said. 30-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 6.44% as of Oct. 17, up from last week's 6.32% and down from 7.

Higher mortgage rates mean fewer buyers and refinancers are moving forward with transactions. The average on a 30-year loan hit 6.44%.

Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey shows the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) increased again this week,

The average rate on a 30-year mortgage in the U.S. moved higher for the third week in a row and reached the highest level since late August

Mortgage rates rose to the highest level in nearly two months. The average rate on a standard 30-year fixed mortgage rose to 6.44%, according to a survey of lenders released Thursday by the mortgage-finance company Freddie Mac.