Also the policy of Biden era for being more pro-protectionist of semi/chip industry in US (by not selling it to the China) is actually very very bullish in the long run for bay area housing market and it would drive up price in where semi manufactured is located.

The world's largest and most up to date chip manufacturing facility was recently built outside Albany.  

There are many ways you can do this- you can add wooden tread to the concrete stairs (probably will need repaired first,) you can add stone tile to both the wood and concrete stairs (and porch, too,) you could paint the concrete to match the wooden stairs (this would be the quickest fix but painted concrete tends to chip and look horrible!)

An aggressive option would be a brokerage account holding, for example, blue chip stocks that have a dividend payments (with DRIP set) around the same percentage as the rate on the 30 year.

Thanks for chipping in everyone!

We're just at a crossroads of whether to continue that path, step up into something/somewhere different, or hold our chips and see what pans out.

I have 4 puncture wounds in my feet, a puncture wound on my hand, 3 scars and a chipped vertebrae and I got them all before the age of 19.

Recently I put an ad on Craigslist for insured tile layers and I received over 100 responses in a few days, most came in at 1.00 per sq foot.Remember dark grout, hides dirt better, always assure the tile are from the same die lot, and always keep a box or two of spare tiles for the occasional chipped or broken tile replacement.As far as liability for slips on wet floors, my leases have clauses to cover that, the tenant waives all rights to sue me or they don't get in, and I still carry liability insurance anyway.In 20+ years, never had a problem.

You put any amount of money in and people "chip in" to loan people unsecured money.

I chipped out a few more tiles on the floor and put theirs in.