Mortgage rates climb for the fourth week in a row — and they won’t drop back down until this happens

What: Mortgage rates have climbed for the fourth consecutive week.
Why: The rates are expected to continue rising until inflation drops below **4.5%**.
Signal: The Federal Reserve's hawkish stance is a key driver of the rate increase.
Target: Economists predict rates will stabilize when the unemployment rate reaches **3.8%**.
Risk: A prolonged rate hike could lead to a slowdown in the housing market.