Americans who are looking to buy a home are facing a difficult market in terms of affordability due to high mortgage rates that are expected to persist into next year.Interest rates on a 30-year fixed mortgage have risen more than a full percentage point since the start of the year, with data from Freddie Mac showing a rise from 6.16% on Jan. 8 to 7.24% as of Oct. 29.The latest data shows a modest decline in recent weeks after rates hit a recent peak of 7.4% in early October, which was the highest rate for the 30-year mortgage since the fall of 2023.Mortgage Bankers Association chief economist...