Economic and monetary policy uncertainty and inflationary concerns will likely keep mortgage rates elevated for the near future.”

After falling for four days and then holding at that level for another day, rates on 30-year mortgages added points Thursday, as did most other loan types.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) broke a five-week upward trajectory and dipped to 6.96%, according to Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS). At this same time last year, the rate averaged 6.

The average rate on a 30-year mortgage in the U.S. eased this week to just below 7%, its first decline after climbing five weeks in a row. The rate fell to 6.96% from 7.04% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday.