Guest: Austin Shoemaker, South Street Mortgage
Date: September 15, 2026
Runtime: 19 min 14 sec
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1w1OuYXheXm1TUOO7WIGnc
Mortgage rates are moving — and they’re moving fast. So if you’re thinking about buying a home in Lafayette or anywhere in Acadiana, should you buy now, lock your rate, or wait?
In this episode, John Ray sits down with Austin Shoemaker of South Street Mortgage to break down what’s actually happening with mortgage rates and what it means for local homebuyers.
We talk about why rates can change so quickly, the connection between mortgage rates and the 10-year Treasury, what the Federal Reserve does (and doesn’t) control, and why waiting for the “perfect rate” isn’t always as simple as it sounds.
Austin also explains something every buyer should know: a lender can quote an attractive interest rate, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best deal. We discuss rate locks, points, fees, Loan Estimates, and the questions buyers should be asking before choosing a mortgage.
Plus, we look at why the Lafayette and Acadiana real estate market doesn’t always behave like the national headlines suggest.
If you’re buying a home, selling a home, or just trying to figure out what these crazy interest rates actually mean for you, this conversation is worth a listen.
🎙️ John Ray Perkins III | The John Ray Group
🏡 Keller Williams Realty Acadiana
Hey hey, it’s John Ray.
Home isn’t a place. It’s a decision.
John Ray Perkins III is a Lafayette, Louisiana REALTOR®, founder of The John Ray Group, and a storyteller at heart. After nearly 20 years in youth and family ministry, John Ray brought his passion for people, relationships, and community into real estate in 2019. Today, he helps families navigate one of life’s biggest decisions while sharing stories, local insights, and a little South Louisiana humor along the way. A husband, father of four, and proud Acadiana local, John Ray believes real estate is about more than houses. It’s about people, their stories, and the places they call home.
Hey Hey, It’s John Ray!