Podcast

Beyond The Rate

Business News, News

Beyond The Rate is a real-world look at what’s actually moving the mortgage, housing, and broader economy.

Hosted by Texas mortgage brokers Charlie Braden and Will Braden of J. Charles Lending, the show goes past the daily rate headlines to break down the market forces behind them, what’s changing, why it matters, and how those shifts affect buyers, homeowners, real estate professionals, and the housing market as a whole.

No hype. No recycled headlines. Just practical perspective, market context, and two brothers looking at the numbers from every angle.

Episodes
15
Releases
Twice a week
Typical length
17 min
On air since
2026
Latest episode
4 days ago

Episodes

15 episodes, newest first

  1. Who Should Be Buying a Home in Texas Right Now?

    Show notes

    Texas is still a buyer’s market, and weekly mortgage applications are sitting under 190,000. In this episode of Beyond the Rate, Charlie and Will break down which buyers can take the most advantage of the opportunity right now.

    We cover:

    • First-time buyers and why you should focus on the house, not the rate
    • Move-up buyers, including how renting out your current home can help
    • Market-savvy buyers who negotiate 5% to 10% off and plan a refinance
    • Second-home and vacation-home buyers on the Texas coast and in the Hill Country
    • What to do if you have to sell your home before you buy
    • Why waiting for rates to hit 6% could mean double the competition and fewer seller concessions

    Whether you’re ready to buy or just exploring your options, this conversation will help you look at the market through a smarter lens.

    Read the full breakdown on our Resource Center: [add link]

    Beyond the Rate, a Shop That Rate podcast, is hosted by the team at J. Charles Lending. www.jcharleslending.com

    22 min
  2. Open Real Estate formed by 4 Real Estate Giants

    Show notes

    Four of the largest real estate companies in the country announced Open Real Estate, a shared listing platform that any brokerage can join for free.

    We discuss some potential benefits and some fallout that could have massive affects for the real estate industry moving forward.

    24 min
  3. How Rates Get Down to 5%

    Show notes

    Most people are waiting for rates to come down, and we feel that expectations for how low rates will get are unrealistic. We dissect what it will take for conventional rates to get down to 5%.

    17 min
  4. Factors that could lead to lower rates

    Show notes

    Last week we discussed our Pre-Election Game plan and a Housingwire article last weekend made the same argument. We discuss the four factors that could lead to lower rates.

    16 min
  5. Pre Election Game Plan

    Show notes

    Inflation came in higher than expected, but the reaction was the exact opposite with rates finishing this week a quarter point lower than last week. We also talk about a home buying game plan as the mid term elections near.

    25 min
  6. Bonus Episode: 3 Recent Buyer Scenarios

    Show notes

    The market is favoring buyers but not every deal is the same. Buyers can find value in many different ways and we get into a few of those here.

    12 min
  7. Current Market, Buyers vs Sellers

    Show notes

    Buyers are able to get aggressive right now and sellers understand the current state of the market. We go Beyond the Rate to talk strategy going into an offer.

    15 min
  8. It's Not the 2021 Market

    Show notes

    Everyone wants the 2021 rate but they don't remember what the 2021 market was actually like. The value back then was low rate but massive competition among home buyers. Today it's flipped, the value is a discount on the price and seller paid closing costs.

    22 min
  9. Post Fed Meeting Discussion

    Show notes

    The federal reserve raised the funds rate. Despite all data actually being better than previous meetings we discuss what the mentality or reasoning behind it. But contrary to thought, it actually is good for mortgage rates.

    31 min
  10. Pre Fed Meeting Discussion

    Episode 6

    Show notes

    The markets are putting money on a Fed Rate Hike. There are still some who don't think it'll happen, and also those who don't think it's needed, even though it'll happen. We give our take on what will happen to mortgage rates if there's a hike or a hold.

    25 min
  11. Is the Economy Strong or Weak Right Now?

    Episode 5

    Show notes

    One of the concerns we hear right now is the economy. Just in general. There are aspects to be concerned with so we break down different areas to dive into the actual numbers.

    21 min
  12. Why It's a Great Time to Buy a Home

    Episode 4

    Show notes

    Home buyers are hesitant right now, with not a single issue being the main hurdle. We break down a few of those concerns and lay out some benefits to purchasing right now.

    15 min
  13. Why Mortgage Brokers Are Best

    Episode 3

    Show notes

    We lay out the benefits of working with a mortgage broker and debunk three of the criticisms of brokers that we hear most frequently.

    12 min
  14. First Half 2026 Analysis

    Episode 2

    Show notes

    Getting caught up on the first half of 2026 market action. Inflation was trending downward and positive conditions were showing until the Iran conflict started. We explain how that affected mortgage rates.

    12 min
  15. How We Got Here, a brief history of mortgage rates.

    Episode 1

    Show notes

    Rates have been elevated for several years now but most don't understand the fundamentals. We just take a look at the history of rates and inflation to put into perspective how we got where we are.

    13 min