Mortgage rates rose this week for the first time since mid-July, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday.

Freddie Mac's latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey, released Thursday, showed the average rate on the benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage rose to 6.3% from last week's reading of 6.26%.

The average rate on a 30-year loan was 6.08% a year ago.

"Housing market activity continues to hold up with purchase and refinance applications increasing by 18% and 42%, respectively, compared to the same time last year," said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac's chief economist.

The average rate on the 15-year fixed mortgage rose to 5.49% from last week's reading of 5.41%. One year ago, the rate on the 15-year fixed note averaged 5.16%.

Meanwhile, sales of new U.S. single-family homes surged to the h

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