For the past 20 years, one of my favorite habits has been taking a morning walk through downtown Palo Alto. I have walked these same streets so many times, but I still find something new when I slow down and look around. This morning, I looked up and noticed the words “Downing Block” at the
Hidden Palo Alto: The Story I Found on My Morning Walk Read More »
The practical question to ask your lender is: “Can you compare my qualification using Classic FICO and VantageScore 4.0 and tell me whether one gives me better loan pricing?” As of September 9, 2026, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac allow approved lenders to use VantageScore 4.0 for eligible mortgages, instead of relying only on the
A New Mortgage Credit-Score Option Read More »
For decades, people have wondered whether it is better to rent a house or buy it. An easier question to consider is: if you buy a house and rent it out, which city historically gives the highest rental income per dollar of house cost? The green column in the table provides one way to see
Best City For Rental Income? Read More »
I worked on Lytton Avenue, in downtown Palo Alto for more than 20 years. Like many people, I passed by this sculpture countless times without paying much attention to it. But one day, I finally stopped, took a closer look, and wondered: What is this unusual arch, and what story does it tell? This is
More Hidden Story of Palo Alto – The Arch of Ely Read More »
Walking Through Palo Alto: Every Street Tells a Story When a friend came to visit, I decided to show them Palo Alto the best way possible—on foot. In just three hours, we discovered that Palo Alto is much more than the heart of Silicon Valley. It is a city filled with history, architecture, public art,
Explore Downtown Palo Alto on Foot Read More »
