[U.S. 30-Year Mortgage Rate Rises for Fourth Consecutive Week, Approaching 7% Threshold] Reported by Golden Finance, on September 18, Fannie Mae stated in a Thursday announcement that the average interest rate for 30-year fixed mortgages in the U.S. rose to 6.95%, up from 6.76% a week earlier. This marks the first time since January 2025 that the rate has reached this level. In comparison, the rate was 6.26% one year ago. For potential homebuyers who had hoped that housing loan pressures would ease by 2026, a mortgage rate nearing 7% is undoubtedly the latest blow. Following the Federal Reserve's 25 basis point rate hike on Wednesday, the market has also begun to realize that borrowing costs may not significantly decrease in the short term. The rising cost of homeownership is becoming one of the core issues in the upcoming midterm elections this November. Meanwhile, despite the Trump administration's efforts to stimulate the real estate market through measures such as bond purchases and deregulation, the likelihood of a rapid recovery in the housing market is increasingly slim. According to estimates from Intercontinental Exchange, purchasing a home with an average price of $440,000 at current loan costs would mean that a typical family's mortgage expenses would account for 31% of the median household income, the highest level since July 2025. At the same time, the confidence index for residential builders has dropped significantly this month, hitting its lowest level in a year.