In an article this past Sunday in the S.A. Express News a headline read, “Who’s afraid of $30 crude?” The article continued to state that Texas has a message for $30 crude doomsayers:  Bring it on!  A handful of shale patches in the state, which would be the world’s sixth-largest oil producer if it were a country, are profitable with crude below $30 a barrel according to Bloomberg Intelligence. “It may be harder to kill many U.S. E&P’s than analysts originally thought,” Bloomberg Intelligence analyst William Foiles said in the a report.  “The wide range of break-evens undermines efforts to come up with a single threshold for U.S. shale producers.  Still, with Iran entering the oil exporting business and the U.S. being allowed to export oil now, for me the just is still out concerning what and how exactly our Texas economy will be affected.  There have been job layoffs, but from what I have read and understand is that those leaving the oil fields are finding their way to construction jobs in Texas.  So, I report again that the Texas economy is doing wonderful in my opinion.

Nationally, weekly job aid rose 8,000 to a seasonally adjusted 285,000, the Labor department said.  The four-week average increased slightly to 284,750.  The number of people collecting job aid has dropped 5.5 percent in the past year.

Better news for homebuyers seeking a mortgage.  Freddie Mac says the average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage slid to 3.72 percent this past week, down from 3.79 percent the week before.

February has just begun.  We have Super Bowl Sunday  behind us.  Valentine’s Day is coming up. The San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo is about to kickoff. Winter is in full swing.  However, in Texas, you couldn’t tell that winter is in full swing.  On Groundhog day, Texas Pete didn’t see his shadow (Texas Pete is our own weather forecasting rattlesnake in case you didn’t know). So, if all holds true, we should have an early Spring.  Yes, it has been chili lately but, the sun keeps shining on our state.  The sun keeps shining on our state’s economy and real estate market too.  It is a wonderful time to buy a home in our beautiful state!

Tony Stevenson
 Sr. Loan Officer  |  NMLS# 216213
“Your Local Loan Officer”
Direct: 210.376.6133
Toll-Free: 800.460.6990
Cell: 210.846.4666
Fax: 866.782.9318
www.swbcmortgage.com
 
apply on-line to:  www.swbcmortgage.com/stevenson
 
9311 San Pedro Avenue, Suite 100
San Antonio, Texas 78216

SWBC. All rights reserved. This article is for informational purposes only and not intended for consumer distribution.  Do not use it as financial and/or political advice. The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those of SWBC Mortgage, CENTURY 21 The Hills Realty or any of their affiliates.  Information for this article from but, not limited to,  the Wall Street Journal, S.A. Business Journal,  NAMB, Real Estate on-line magazine, S.A. Express News and MBA News Link. To be removed from this email reply “remove” in the subject line. For questions/comments contact Tony Stevenson at 1.800.460.6990 or email tstevenson@swbc.com. Loans are subject to credit and property approval. Other restrictions and conditions may apply. Programs and guidelines are subject to change without notice. Rates are subject to change daily. This email is an advertisement from SWBC Mortgage Corporation, NMLS #9741. Corporate office located at 9311 San Pedro Avenue, Suite 100, San Antonio, TX 78216. 8540-5937 NMLS#9741(www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org) 

The year has started off with a bang or a thud-depending on your perspective. Volatility erupted anew in the financial markets causing anxiety about global growth. Plus, oil prices experienced a week of big declines that showed economic turmoil in China now overshadows tension in the Mideast on trading floors. That’s the bad news.

The good news: “U.S. job market ends 2015 up” was a mini headline in the S.A. Express News last week. The article stated that in an impressive sprint at 2015’s end, employers added 292,000 workers to their payrolls in December, the government said on Friday, punctuating a year of healthy growth. The unemployment rate remained at 5 percent in December and that was because large numbers of people went looking for work. The jobless rate, which has declined since topping 10 percent in October 2009, continues to hover just above what economists consider full employment—the point where further declines could start to push up inflation. Plus, experts are also optimistic about San Antonio in 2016.

Heading into 2016, San Antonio-area real estate agents can expect to eclipse the 24,948 home sales from January to November 2015, the most sold during that period in recent memory, Mark Dotzour a retried economist from the Texas A&M Real Estate Center, told the San Antonio board of Realtors at the organization’s annual housing forecast last week. The question for me is how much longer can the housing market sustain these numbers until inventory becomes a real issue? It is a seller’s market to be sure.

Keep in mind that home buyers have it good too. Still proof home sales will continue their march upward is the fact that mortgage rates remain at historically low levels. Mortgage rates were mixed last week, with the key 30-year rate slipping back under 4 percent to 3.97 percent, according to Freddie Mac. But the average 15-year mortgage rate rose to 3.26 percent from 3.26 percent the week before.

Please remember me to anyone you know that may need a mortgage!

Tony Stevenson,
Sr. Loan Officer | NMLS# 216213
“Your Local Loan Officer”
Direct: 210.376.6133
Toll-Free: 800.460.6990
Cell: 210.846.4666
Fax: 866.782.9318
www.swbcmortgage.com

apply on-line to: www.swbcmortgage.com/stevenson

9311 San Pedro Avenue, Suite 100
San Antonio, Texas 78216f

© 2015 SWBC. All rights reserved. This article is for informational purposes only and not intended for consumer distribution.  Do not use it as financial and/or political advice. The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those of SWBC Mortgage, CENTURY 21 The Hills Realty, or any of their affiliates.  Information for this article from but, not limited to,  the Wall Street Journal, S.A. Business Journal,  NAMB, Real Estate on-line magazine, S.A. Express News and MBA News Link. To be removed from this email reply “remove” in the subject line. For questions/comments contact Tony Stevenson at 1.800.460.6990 or email tstevenson@swbc.com. Loans are subject to credit and property approval. Other restrictions and conditions may apply. Programs and guidelines are subject to change without notice. Rates are subject to change daily. This email is an advertisement from SWBC Mortgage Corporation, NMLS #9741. Corporate office located at 9311 San Pedro Avenue, Suite 100, San Antonio, TX 78216. 8540-5937 NMLS#9741(www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org) 

U.S. employers expanded their payrolls at a robust pace in November, the government reported on Friday, all but guaranteeing policymakers at the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates for the first time in nearly a decade when they meet later this month. However, more people applied for U.S. unemployment benefits last week, but the levels remain near historic lows that point toward a healthy job market.

OPEC will keep pumping about 31.5 million barrels of oil a day, the group’s president said. West Texas Intermediate ended the week at $39.97 a barrel. This being said, I expect gasoline prices to get even lower during the Holiday season.

Average long-term mortgage rates edged lower for a third straight week. Freddie Mac said
the average on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage slipped to 3.93 percent from 3.95 percent the week before. The average rate on the 15-year fixed-rate mortgage eased to 3.16 percent from 3.18 percent.

“Tis the season to give!” Mark Zuckerberg and his wife pledged to give away virtually all of their $45 billion in Facebook Inc. shares, setting a new philanthropic benchmark by committing their massive fortune to charitable causes while still in their early 30s. What a gift!

At last week’s Kerrville Board of Realtors end-of-year Christmas luncheon, I was voted as their “Affiliate of the Year.” I was totally surprised and honored. Somehow, they let my wife know in advance so she could attend (without me even noticing she was there) and she even brought my Mother along as well. How those two were able to keep a secret that long-without me knowing-is beyond me. I felt really honored and blessed to have received this affiliate award. We are ALL in this real estate/mortgage world together and it takes a team of folks working together to help other folks achieve the American dream of homeownership. I really do appreciate all of their friendships and support. My team at SWBC Mortgage makes me look good through all of their hard work as well. I am looking forward to an even better 2016.

Please remember me to anyone you know that may need a mortgage!
Tony Stevenson
Sr. Loan Officer | NMLS# 216213
“Your Local Loan Officer”

Direct: 210.376.6133
Toll-Free: 800.460.6990
Cell: 210.846.4666
Fax: 866.782.9318

www.swbcmortgage.com
apply on-line to: www.swbcmortgage.com/stevenson
9311 San Pedro Avenue, Suite 100
San Antonio, Texas 78216

© 2015 SWBC. All rights reserved. This article is for informational purposes only and not intended for consumer distribution. Do not use it as financial and/or political advice. The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those of SWBC Mortgage, CENTURY 21 The Hills Realty or any of their affiliates. Information for this article from but, not limited to, the Wall Street Journal, S.A. Business Journal, NAMB, Real Estate on-line magazine, S.A. Express News and MBA News Link. To be removed from this email reply “remove” in the subject line. For questions/comments contact Tony Stevenson at 1.800.460.6990 or email tstevenson@swbc.com. Loans are subject to credit and property approval. Other restrictions and conditions may apply. Programs and guidelines are subject to change without notice. Rates are subject to change daily. This email is an advertisement from SWBC Mortgage Corporation, NMLS #9741. Corporate office located at 9311 San Pedro Avenue, Suite 100, San Antonio, TX 78216. 8540-5937 NMLS#9741(www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org)

Texas shoppers have another reason to be thankful this Thanksgiving! They will pay slightly less for Thanksgiving dinner than last year, according to the Texas Farm Bureau. The typical dinner will cost $46.48 this year, down 0.66 percent from $46.79 last year. Nearly all Thanksgiving ingredients tracked by the bureau declined in price this year, including stuffing (6% drop), and whole milk (13.3% drop). Even the price of turkey went down in Texas, thanks to lower fuel and grain costs. It makes sense that fuel would help drive costs down as that cost affects all of us-including delivery and commercial truck drivers. As a matter of fact, traders kept oil just above $40 a barrel Friday after an industry report showed yet another drilling slowdown across the U.S.

Mark Dotzour, College Station real estate economist, spoke to a group this past week and said that one sector still has enough gas in the tank to drive economic growth and that is housing construction. Even though Texas’ oil and gas industry is waning, he stated that the length of economic recovery depends on whether “we are building more housing this year, the year after that, and the year after that.” He continued that, “ housing construction is rested, so there are several years of economic growth left.” San Antonio and the rest of Texas is behind demand for housing he added. “We have a huge housing shortage,” citing 8 to 12 percent annual price jumps in houses.

For home buyers seeking a mortgage, the average long term mortgage rates edged slightly lower this past week after two straight weeks of sharp increases. Freddie Mac said the average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell to 3.97 percent from 3.98 percent the week before. Lower mortgage rate is something we all can add to our “things to be thankful for” this week!

Note: I would like to wish my Wife, Gayla Stevenson, a happy birthday today. What is she doing on her birthday? She is taking me to the doctor. Now how special is that? She is what I am thankful for!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Please remember me to anyone you know that may need a mortgage!

Tony Stevenson
Sr. Loan Officer | NMLS# 216213
“Your Local Loan Officer”

Direct: 210.376.6133
Toll-Free: 800.460.6990
Cell: 210.846.4666
Fax: 866.782.9318
apply on-line to: www.swbcmortgage.com/stevenson

9311 San Pedro Avenue, Suite 100

San Antonio, Texas 78216

© 2015 SWBC. All rights reserved. This article is for informational purposes only and not intended for consumer distribution. Do not use it as financial and/or political advice. The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those of SWBC Mortgage, CENTURY 21 The Hills Realty, or any of their affiliates. Information for this article from but, not limited to, the Wall Street Journal, S.A. Business Journal, NAMB, Real Estate on-line magazine, S.A. Express News and MBA News Link. To be removed from this email reply “remove” in the subject line. For questions/comments contact Tony Stevenson at 1.800.460.6990 or email tstevenson@swbc.com. Loans are subject to credit and property approval. Other restrictions and conditions may apply. Programs and guidelines are subject to change without notice. Rates are subject to change daily. This email is an advertisement from SWBC Mortgage Corporation, NMLS #9741. Corporate office located at 9311 San Pedro Avenue, Suite 100, San Antonio, TX 78216. 8540-5937 NMLS#9741(www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org)

With a hint at what may be in store for shoppers this holiday season, Macy’s CEO Terry Lundgren said markdowns are likely as falling sales have left the department store with excessive inventory. The opening of the retail earnings seasons began with Macy’s, which dragged shares of almost every retailer sharply lower last Wednesday. “Markdowns” being the key word for me here just says that shoppers will likely benefit by paying lower prices this holiday season. Which to me is a good thing. Paying lower for gasoline per gallon this season as well has added shopping dollars to consumer’s pockets. Again, our economy is consumer based. The more we spend on products and services, the better in my opinion.
“Home sales up 4.5% from Oct. 2014” was a headline in last week’s S.A. Express News. The article continued to state that even though the San Antonio housing market is in its autumn lull, total sales and median price continue their year-over-year climb, according to data released by the San Antonio Board of Realtors. In October, 2,252 homes were sold in the San Antonio area—a 4.5% bump from the previous year. The median sale price of homes settled at $187,20— a 6.4% increase as compared to last year at the same time.
Average long-term mortgage rates last week rose sharply for a second straight week. Freddie Mac said the average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage jumped to 3.98 percent from 3.87 percent a week earlier. It was the highest level for the 30-year rate since July. Even though rates have risen the past couple of weeks, it is still a very good time to take advantage of the “still” low rate environment in my opinion. I can remember, back in the early 90’s when I paid 9.5% for my first mortgage—and I thought that was good back then. I am not predicting where rates will go after the first of the year but, even if rates went to 5.0%, this mortgage rate still buys more home as compared to the 90’s.
Good news! Blue Bell Ice Cream returns December 14th to the San Antonio market. On Friday, the company announced on Instagram that it will begin phase three of its return to the market, returning its ice cream to a large part of Texas and central and southern Alabama. To complete phase three, Blue Bell is also bringing back 215 employees who were put on paid furlough earlier this year. I would ask the “man in the red suite” for a gallon of Blue Bell Vanilla Bean ice cream for my stocking this year but, that would be kind of messy my wife pointed out.
Please remember me to anyone you know that may need a mortgage!

Tony Stevenson
Sr. Loan Officer | NMLS# 216213
“Your Local Loan Officer”

Direct: 210.376.6133
Toll-Free: 800.460.6990
Cell: 210.846.4666
Fax: 866.782.9318

www.swbcmortgage.com
apply on-line to: www.swbcmortgage.com/stevenson
9311 San Pedro Avenue, Suite 100
San Antonio, Texas 78216

© 2015 SWBC. All rights reserved. This article is for informational purposes only and not intended for consumer distribution. Do not use it as financial and/or political advice. The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those of CENTURY 21 The Hills Realty, SWBC Mortgage or any of their affiliates. Information for this article from but, not limited to, the Wall Street Journal, S.A. Business Journal, NAMB, Real Estate on-line magazine, S.A. Express News and MBA News Link. To be removed from this email reply “remove” in the subject line. For questions/comments contact Tony Stevenson at 1.800.460.6990 or email tstevenson@swbc.com. Loans are subject to credit and property approval. Other restrictions and conditions may apply. Programs and guidelines are subject to change without notice. Rates are subject to change daily. This email is an advertisement from SWBC Mortgage Corporation, NMLS #9741. Corporate office located at 9311 San Pedro Avenue, Suite 100, San Antonio, TX 78216. 8540-5937 NMLS#9741(www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org)