Mortgage rates on a 30-year home loan have fluctuated throughout the year, reaching a peak of 7.22 percent in May. In late September, the average rate dipped to 6.08 percent, the lowest level in two years, after the Federal Reserve cut interest rates. But mortgage rates have since crept higher until this week.

Mortgage rates leveled off this week after climbing for six consecutives weeks, stalling along with demand in the stagnant housing market amid an affordability crisis.

The average rate on a 30-year mortgage in the U.S. edged lower this week, ending a six-week climb. The rate slipped to 6.78% from 6.79% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. That’s still down from a year ago,