Mortgage rates rose for the fourth week in a row in yet another blow to housing affordability. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose to an average 7.17% as of April 25, according to data released by Freddie Mac FMCC, -1.45% on Thursday.

The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate climbed this week to its highest level since late November, another setback for home shoppers in what's traditionally the housing market's busiest time of the year.

Mortgage rates recently passed 7% for the first time this year, according to Freddie Mac data. The 10-year Treasury yield, a mortgage-rate benchmark, suggests more near-term gains are on their way. The yield rose to 4.731% Thursday morning, according to Dow Jones Market Data, the highest level since early November.

Borrowing costs on a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage, popular with homeowners refinancing their home loans, also rose this week

If we look at where a 10-year Treasury yield is trading or settling, that’s a key driver of where mortgage rates are going,” BNP Paribas’ chief U.S. economist said.

US mortgage rates increased to the highest level in five months, pushing down home-purchase applications for the fifth time in the last six weeks.

Mortgage rate continued to rise and homebuyers are adjusting as evidenced by new home sales data, according to the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey. 30-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 7.17% as of April 25,