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Homebuyers face severe uncertainty<\/a> this fall amid surging mortgage rates and stubbornly high living costs, but those who prepare and take stock of their finances early can shield their budgets from unexpected spikes. \u00a0<\/p>\n Last week, the average rate on 30-year fixed home loans surged to an 18-month high of 6.95%<\/a>, propelled by climbing 10-year Treasury yields as the Federal Reserve increased its interest rates<\/a> for the first time in three years. \u00a0<\/p>\n These developments have made home shoppers question whether they can manage monthly payments on their purchase, as reflected in a slowdown in August’s existing-home sales<\/a>. \u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n