The current mortgage rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage rose by 0.05 percentage point in the last week to 7.37%, according to Curinos. Meanwhile, the APR on a 15-year fixed mortgage climbed 0.05 percentage point during the same period to 6.

Mortgage interest rates pulled back a little this week, but it was hardly enough to erase the past three weeks' gains. The week ending Jan. 9, the average rate on the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell four basis points to 6.93%, according to rates provided to NerdWallet by Zillow. A basis point is one-one hundredth of a percentage point.

U.S. mortgage rates are back at their highest level since last summer, frustrating homebuyers waiting for a break from some of the steepest borrowing costs in more than a decade.

U.S. mortgage rates increased to a fresh six-month high this week, a trend that together with elevated house prices could further squeeze potential buyers from the market. The average rate on the popular 30-year fixed-rate mortgage climbed to 6.

The benchmark 30-year fixed rate loan rate rose to 6.93 percent from 6.91 percent last week, according to mortgage giant Freddie Mac. It was at 6.66 percent a year ago and 3.64 percent five years ago.