The average rate on a 30-year mortgage in the U.S. rose for the fifth straight week, returning to its highest level since early August.

Homebuyers opted to make smaller down payments this summer as declining mortgage rates helped boost their purchasing power, though home shoppers’ upfront costs remain near their peak.

The 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage rose for the fourth time in five weeks to come in at 6.73%, the highest levels since July, data from the Mortgage Brokers Association showed.

Total mortgage application volume was essentially flat, falling 0.1% compared with the previous week.