When rates fell to around 6.7% (the lowest level in months) in early July, applications for home loans promptly ticked up, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. But when the average 30-year fixed rate jumped to around 6.8% last week, mortgage activity plummeted 10%.

Mortgage rates this week for a 30-year fixed loan increased to 6.75%, up from 6.72% last week.