For the seventh time in eight weeks, interest rates on 30-year fixed mortgages continued climbing higher, reaching an average of 6.84% as of Nov. 21, according to Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey.

The rate was up 0.06% from last week’s 6.78%, but was still considerably lower than at this time a year ago when the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 7.29%. The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.02% on Nov. 21, up 0.03% from last week’s 5.99%. A year ago, the rate on a 15-year mortgage was 6.67%.

Interest rates on the 30-year fixed mortgage reached a low point for the year on Sept. 26 at 6.08%, before beginning the long climb to the current level of 6.84%.

“Mortgage rates ticked back up this week, continuing to approach 7%,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “Heading into the holidays, purchase demand remains in the doldrums. While for-sale inventory is increasing modestly, the elevated interest rate environment has caused new construction to soften.”

Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey tracks conventional, conforming, fully amortizing home purchase loans for borrowers who put 20% down and have excellent credit.