(MONEY Magazine) – Rates on home loans hit their highest levels in nearly four years in mid-May, with a 6.68% average for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages and an 8.57% average for home-equity lines of credit. In the wake of the Fed's 16th straight short-term interest-rate hike, rates on virtually all home loans are at 12-month highs. As bigger mortgage payments are making homes less affordable, the housing market appears to be cooling. That suggests, among other things, that REIT funds' future returns won't be anything like the strong gains REITs have posted during the past year and over the past three years.

HOME-LOAN RATES

1-year adj. 5.94%[*] 5/1 adj. 6.40%[*] 15-year fixed 6.40%[*] 30-year fixed[1] 6.68%[*] 30-year fixed jumbo[2] 6.87%[*] Home-equity loan 8.09%[*] Home-equity credit line 8.57%[*] Current average

[*] Up from previous month [**] Down from previous month

NOTES: As of May 19. [1]$417,000 or less. [2]More than $417,000. SOURCE: HSH Associates.

DEALS: 30-YEAR FIXED-RATE MORTGAGES

The banks below offer some of the best loan rates and terms. Use them as a benchmark for your own shopping. Visit hsh.com for more deals.

NOTES: As of May 19. Rates and terms subject to change. SOURCE: HSH Associates.

LARGEST REAL ESTATE FUNDS

NOTES: As of May 19. Largest funds by assets. [1] Annualized. [2] Closed to new investors. SOURCE: Morningstar.