Capital Gains Stock/Real Estate

[Robert Fields]

This is my first post here, so hello everyone! 

I am looking to make my second buy & rehab real estate investment this year and excited to be part of this community.  Here's my question.

I have some short-term realized capital gains from selling stocks earlier this year.  I do not have stock losses to offset these gains.  If I purchase a property this year and make payment to an architect and contractor towards capital improvements to the property, can these be added to my basis cost and offset the stock capital gains?  

Rob