[U.S. Mortgage Rates Rise for the First Time in Three Weeks, 30-Year Rate Increases to 6.66%] According to a report by Jinse Finance, on August 28, U.S. mortgage rates rose for the first time in three weeks, further squeezing housing affordability amid a weakening real estate market. Data from Freddie Mac shows that the average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage edged up from 6.65% the previous week to 6.66%, higher than 6.56% a year ago. So far this year, the U.S. real estate market has remained sluggish. Mortgage rates briefly fell below 6% in late February before the Middle East conflict erupted but have stayed above 6.5% since July, with little sign of financing costs easing. Thomas Ryan, Senior Economist for North America at Capital Economics, stated, 'High interest rates continue to keep the market at a standstill.' If rates eventually drop to around 5%, suppressed demand could be significantly unleashed, but it remains unclear in the short term what factors could drive rates to that level. In July, U.S. new home sales fell to a six-month low, with sales of newly built single-family homes dropping 10.5% to an annualized rate of 607,000 units, below the market expectation of 620,000 units.