U.S. mortgage rates climbed for a fourth straight week, reaching levels last seen in September. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate rose to 6.38% as of Thursday, according to Freddie Mac, up from 6.22% the previous week.

The current rate marks the highest point since September. Mortgage rates are lower than they were a year ago.

Freddie Mac tracks mortgage rate data weekly. The mortgage rate reflects the interest rate lenders charge borrowers for home loans with 30-year repayment terms.

The 6.38% rate represents an increase from the 6.22% rate recorded in the previous week's survey. Freddie Mac releases its Primary Mortgage Market Survey each Thursday.

Thursday's rate reading shows mortgage costs touching levels last seen in September. The four consecutive weeks of increases have pushed the 30-year fixed rate higher after a period of declining rates earlier this year.