Mortgage rates have increased, with some reports indicating they have climbed above 6.5%. The rise in mortgage rates is attributed to rising inflation and energy costs, with some outlets citing the conflict with Iran as a contributing factor. However, there is some variation in the reported rates, with some sources stating the 30-year fixed mortgage rate has settled at 6.59% or 6.49%, while others note that rates in the UK have surpassed 5%.