The average rate for a 30-year mortgage in the U.S. has climbed for the second consecutive week, reaching 6.85%, its highest level since mid-July. This increase mirrors a recent surge in bond yields, which lenders use as a benchmark for pricing home loans, according to Freddie Mac’s report on Thursday. This week’s rate rose from 6.72% last week, and it’s up from 6.61% a year ago. The last time the 30-year mortgag