Best way to cashout taxable stocks?

[Josh Barnett]

If I have large amounts of capital in taxable stocks, what is the best way to put that to work for me?

I am 33 years old, in the military and will be purchasing my first house around May. This will be the house my family will live in so I will use a VA loan with as little down as I can.

I then want to begin buying investment properties and put what I have learned from BP into action.  

I have enough cash to put 20% down via a conventional loan on house #2, but will need some more cash for house #3+.

Question: What is the best way to cash out stocks for real estate investing?  I started investing in 2008-2009, so these stocks have increased in value 100%+.  My capital gains will be HUGE.  How do I play this? Maybe I can write off expenses to even out the income gain?

I also have a ROTH IRA and ROTH TSP.