Mortgage Rates Fluctuate, Prompting House-Buying Controversy

30-year mortgage rates rose moderately on Friday but remain near their lowest level in four months, with an average of 7.43%. Rates for other loan types also increased. Freddie Mac's weekly mortgage data showed rates climbing to a 7.79% average in October, the highest since 2000, but have since fallen. The lowest mortgage rates vary by state, with Vermont, Mississippi, Delaware, Louisiana, and North Dakota having the lowest averages, while Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, Minnesota, and Washington have the most expensive averages. Mortgage rates are influenced by factors such as bond market performance, the Federal Reserve's monetary policy, and competition among lenders.