The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate touched 8 percent on Thursday, according to Bankrate data, a level not seen since the year 2000. Over the past several weeks, the 30-year rate has been on the cusp of 8 percent, backed off, then picked up steam again — a confounding pattern somewhat…

  US Housing Market Flattening After 13 Year Home sales dropped in September to the lowest level since the foreclosure crisis as surging interest rates and climbing home prices made buying a home unattainable for a growing share of would-be buyers. Historically low inventory of homes for sale continued to push prices up and…