The median U.S. monthly housing mortgage payment reached $2,686 as of the middle of January, the highest level in almost seven month, according to Redfin. Higher payments are a result of higher mortgage interest rates, with long-term home loan averages topping 7% in the latest week. Higher payments are also a product of climbing home prices, with the median U.S. home-sale price having risen 5% year-over-year.